Abstract: Methods for cleaning a chamber of semiconductor device manufacturing equipment are disclosed. An illustrated method comprises supplying cleaning gas into a chamber to start a cleaning process; detecting the intensity of a wavelength for the cleaning gas; fixing a valve at a predetermined position to control the pressure in the chamber; detecting the pressure in the chamber during some period of the cleaning time, the cleaning time being from the beginning of the cleaning process to the time when the intensity of the wavelength is settled at a predetermined value; and stopping supplying the cleaning gas into the chamber to complete the cleaning process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning hearing aid devices are disclosed. Drying is facilitated in hearing instruments through a novel combination of heater and desiccant in an essentially closed system. Greater efficiency is obtained by minimizing the volume of gas, e.g., air, requiring moisture extraction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate processing method including a substrate rotating step for rotating a substrate with the substrate held almost horizontally within a chamber; a peripheral edge processing step for discharging a processing liquid to a lower surface of the substrate rotated in the substrate rotating step and causing the processing liquid to flow around an upper surface of the substrate at a peripheral edge thereof from the lower surface of the substrate to process the peripheral edge of the upper surface of the substrate in the chamber; and a both-surface processing step for discharging the processing liquid to both the surfaces of the substrate rotated in the substrate rotating step to process both the surfaces of the substrate in the chamber.

Abstract: A metal material whose surface is modified by bonding of aromatic groups, optionally substituted by functional groups.

Abstract: A copper alloy having an improved combination of yield strength and electrical conductivity consists essentially of, by weight, from 1% to 2.5% of nickel, from 0.5% to 2.0% of cobalt, from 0.5% to 1.5% of silicon, and the balance is copper and inevitable impurities. Further, the total nickel plus cobalt content is from 1.7% to 4.3%, the ratio of nickel to cobalt is from 1.01:1 to 2.6:1, the amount of (Ni+Co)/Si is between 3.5 and 6, the electrical conductivity is in excess of 40% IACS and the yield strength is in excess of 95 ksi. An optional inclusion is up 1% of silver. A process to manufacture the alloy includes the sequential steps of (a). casting; (b). hot working; (c). solutionizing; (d). first age annealing; (e). cold working; and (f). second age annealing wherein the second age annealing temperature is less than the first age annealing temperature.

Abstract: A molten zinc alloy, which contains 4–22 mass % Al, 1–7 mass % Mg and optionally one ore more of Ti, B and Si at very small ratios, is held at a temperature Th higher than (a solidification-beginning temperature Ts.b.+85° C.) for homogenization, and then cooled down to a temperature Tc equal to (Ts.b.+20–65° C.). After the molten alloy is poured in a mold, it is naturally cooled and solidified to an ingot, while its upper part is being heated. Once an upper surface of the zinc alloy in the mold begins to solidify, it is optionally cooled with water. The produced ingot has a structure without cracks or cavities, so that it is safely fed to a molten pool for replenishment.

Abstract: A method of making aluminum alloy sheet in a continuous in-line process is provided. A continuously-cast aluminum alloy strip is optionally quenched, hot or warm rolled, annealed or heat-treated in-line, optionally quenched, and preferably coiled, with additional hot, warm or cold rolling steps as needed to reach the desired gauge. The process can be used to make aluminum alloy sheet of T or O temper having the desired properties, in a much shorter processing time.

Abstract: A power transmission belt is disclosed in which the exterior of the overcord section is generally flat in contour and bears an outer seamless tubular knit textile material adhered to an adjacent rubber layer material interposed between the exterior belt back surface and a strain-resisting tensile section. The belt is adapted to be run against backside idlers or tensioners with minimized noise generation. A simplified process including use of a tubular knit stretched over and applied to the building drum is disclosed, thereby eliminating conventional calendaring and Bannering operations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the welding of a trailing sheet tail on a roll of sheet material to an underlying layer of the sheet material on the roll to form a finished roll product ready for packaging. A device for effecting the welding comprises a thermally conductive, heat sealing disk mounted for rotation about an axis, and a heating element for heating an inner portion of the disk so as to cause thermal conduction through an outer portion of the disk towards an outer peripheral surface thereof. The heat sealing disk is mounted for engagement with the outer surface of the trailing sheet tail to weld this tail to the underlying layer of sheet material on the roll.

Abstract: An artwork is made on a surface of a matrix or plate with acrylic paint and then allowing the paint to dry. A layer of a backing material adhesive, such as an acrylic gel, is next applied to the acrylic layer and a backing material (such as paper or cloth) is placed upon the gel, and the wet gel is then allowed to dry. The dry artwork is then removed from the matrix. The invention allows the inclusion within a single image of other media (wet or dry), such as paper, fabric, dry acrylic elements, watercolor, waterbase crayons and pencils, felt pens, waterbase inks, water mixable oil paints, oil pastels and oil paint sticks because of the bonding abilities of acrylics.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting includes a body layer having a structured surface with recessed faces forming cube corner cavities. A reflective film is disposed at least on the recessed faces, and a fill material fills the cube corner cavities. The fill material comprises radiation-curable materials, adhesives, or both, and preferably transparent radiation-curable pressure-sensitive adhesives. The fill material preferably forms a continuous layer covering both the recessed faces and upper portions of the structured surface. A transparent cover layer preferably contacts the fill material layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and an assembly process for the manufacture of liquid crystal displays. The assembly process is especially advantageous because it can be easily scalable to roll-to-roll continuous manufacturing of liquid crystal displays. The invention is directed to a photoalignable top-sealing composition for top-sealing a liquid crystal display cell.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a method for gluing fibrous raw materials, which improves the even distribution of the binding agent on the fibers considerably. The disclosure furthermore describes a device for performing the gluing process. The disclosure suggests a method for moistening fibrous raw materials provided for the manufacture of fiberboards, mats and the like with bonding agents, wherein the fibrous raw materials exist in at least a pre-dried state and are moistened by a pre-dispersed binding agent in a continuous stream, and wherein subsequent to the moistening process the fibrous raw materials are compressed with high pressure before being conveyed further.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a headliner for use in an automobile interior. The method of the invention comprises applying an adhesive on a first fiber mat and a second fiber mat to form a first adhesive-containing fiber mat and a second adhesive-containing fiber mat. The first adhesive-containing fiber mat and the second adhesive-containing fiber mat are optionally dried. A multilayered structure is then assembled by positioning the first adhesive-containing fiber mat between a first fabric layer and a padding layer and the second adhesive-containing fiber mat between the padding layer and a second fabric. Finally, the multilayered structure is pressed at a sufficiently high temperature to adhere the component layers of the headliner together. The invention also provides a variation in which the fiber mats are formed using the adhesive as a binder. Finally, the invention also provide a headliner made by the method of the invention.

Abstract: By using a high viscosity moisture-curable adhesive composition comprising at least one polymer or resin selected from the group consisting of (A) a reactive silyl group-containing polyoxyalkylene polymer, (B) a reactive silyl group-containing saturated hydrocarbon polymer, (C) a copolymer of which molecular chain is substantially made of one or more alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer unit(s) and (D) an epoxy resin, it becomes possible to bond an adherend to a substrate without open time and without temporary tacking after application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling multiple tire components onto one or more tire building drums at a work station of a tire building system is disclosed. A first inner set of measuring drums is located at a first loading position between a second outer set of measuring drums at a second loading position. Tire components are loaded onto the first and second sets of measuring drums at the first and second loading positions. The first and second sets of measuring drums are alternatively moved from the first and second loading positions into first and second ready positions, respectively. Then the first and second sets of measuring drums are alternatively moved from the first and second ready positions into first and second transfer positions, respectively, where the tire components are transferred to the one or more tire building drums. Then the first and second sets of measuring drums are retracted away from the first and second transfer positions, respectively, to the first and second ready positions.

Abstract: Methods for bleaching chemical pulp are disclosed including dewatering the pulp to a concentration of from 25 to 40%, bleaching in a first chlorine dioxide stage, followed by a second alkaline bleaching stage, followed by a third chlorine dioxide bleaching stage, dewatering the bleached pulp to a concentration of from 10 to 40% and producing a filtrate, and recycling the filtrate to control the pulp concentration of the dewatered chemical pulp to from 8 to 15% in the first bleaching stage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for delignifying lignocellulosic raw materials by using sulfites in the presence of an alkaline component, especially sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate or a mixture thereof in an aqueous solution at a high temperature and high pressure. The invention is characterized in that a first partial fragment of the alkaline component is added when the aqueous solution starts to decompose and in that at least a second partial fragment of the alkaline component is added only when delignification begins.

Abstract: A process and method which ‘locks in’ three-dimensional texturing added to a paper web by virtue of an adhesive material which is printed onto the surface of the web is generally disclosed. The adhesive may be applied to the web either before, during, or after the web is molded to increase the surface texture. The adhesive may be applied at relatively low pressure so as to preserve surface texture without significant deformation of the web. The cured adhesive material inhibits the web from reassuming a two-dimensional state or may contribute additional texture by rising above the surface of the web. This process may not only increase the bulk of the web when dry and wet, but also increase the wet resiliency, the wet strength, and the tactile properties of the web.

Abstract: An embossing system for embossing and perforating at least a portion of a web is provided comprising a first embossing roll having embossing elements and at least a second embossing roll having embossing elements, wherein the elements of the first and second embossing rolls define perforate nips for embossing and perforating the web and wherein at least a predominate number of the perforate nips are substantially oriented in the cross-machine direction. Moreover, substantially all of the nips defined by the embossing elements of the first and second embossing rolls can be substantially oriented in the cross-machine direction. Further, the cross-machine embossing elements are at an angle of about 85° to 95° from the machine direction.

Abstract: Methods and compositions effective to prevent deposition of fouling agents, preferably polymerization precursors, on handling equipment, particularly during solvent recovery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the optimal use of reaction heat resulting from the production of 1,2-dichloroethane from ethene and chlorine. The aim of the invention is achieved by extracting reaction heat liberated during the reaction of chlorine with ethene and the reaction heat contained in 1,2-dichloroethane. Extraction of said reaction heat from the reaction chamber occurs using at least one part of gaseous 1,2-dichloroethane (latent heat) and at least one part of liquid 1,2-dichloroethane (feelable heat) removed from the reaction chamber. Said reaction heat is used to heat two fractioning columns in order to purify 1,2-dichloroethane of impurities having a boiling point higher than 1,2-dichloroethane.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process for removing carbonyl-containing impurities from impure extractive distillation solvent such as a glycol, comprising: contacting the impure extractive distillation solvent with an acidic ion exchange resin. The purified extractive distillation solvent can be recycled for use as a solvent in an extractive distillation process that removes impurities from alkylene oxide. The extractive distillation solvent can be ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) used to purify propylene oxide.

Abstract: A device (1) for amplifying the current of an abnormal electrical discharge, characterized in that it comprises an electrode which is positively polarized (2) and associated with a magnetic circuit (3) producing a magnetic field (4) which is uniformly divergent, whereby the intensity on the surface of the electrode is more than approximately 6.102 Tesla, the electrode being positioned in the region where the magnetic field is at its most intense.

Abstract: The magnet arrangement and resulting rotating sputtering magnetron design of an embodiment provides magnetic flux density and distribution to penetrate thick production ferrous targets. Further, the magnetic field shape improves target life by more uniformly removing target material.

Abstract: A test for the presence of lactose in a sample, in which the test comprises a) treating the sample with lactase enzyme thus converting the lactose into glucose and galactose b) testing the sample for the presence of glucose using any one of a variety of prior art tests for the presence of glucose.

Abstract: An electronic sensing circuit for an electrochemical gas sensor cell providing high dynamic range is described. The electronic circuit utilizes an amplifier with a resistive feedback element to provide high sensitivity linear sensing of low detected gas concentrations. The electronic circuit also provides the ability to source sufficient current to prevent the electrochemical gas sensor cell from becoming biased under very high gas concentration conditions. This operation is enabled by adding a non-linear element in the feedback path of the amplifier, which non-linear element begins to conduct during the high gas concentration conditions.

Abstract: A gas sensor element is provided which is designed to measure the concentration of hydrogen-containing gas accurately. The sensor element includes an oxygen pump cell working to keep the concentration of oxygen contained in measurement gasses entering a measurement gas chamber at a low concentration level and a hydrogen-containing gas measurement cell. The hydrogen-containing gas measurement cell is made up of a proton-conductive solid electrolyte body and a first and a second gas measurement electrode affixed to the proton-conductive solid electrolyte body. The first gas measurement electrode is exposed to the measurement gas chamber and serves to produce a signal between the first and second gas measurement electrodes as a function of the concentration of the hydrogen-containing gas.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a pH level of a sample medium is disclosed herein as including a pH probe having a pH-sensitive electrode, a reference electrode and a temperature electrode arranged within a housing of the pH probe. The probe housing generally includes a flexible inner tube and a flexible outer tube, the inner tube being concentrically arranged within the outer tube. Preferably, a size of the probe housing minimizes the amount of trauma introduced by insertion of the pH probe into physiological tissues, muscles or fluids. The system also includes a processing means, which is coupled to the pH probe for determining the pH of the sample medium. A method of forming a pH-sensitive electrode, a method of manufacturing a pH probe, and a method for using a pH probe are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing hollow ceramic membranes by electrophoretic deposition. The hollow ceramic membranes may have a small cross-sectional area of about 1.0×10?5 mm2 to about 25 mm2. The cross-sectional configuration of the hollow ceramic membranes may be any geometry such as circular, square, rectangular, triangular or polygonal. The hollow ceramic membranes produced by the methods of the present invention may have multiple layers but always the innermost layer, or the first deposited layer is porous and made by electrophoretic deposition. Subsequent layers may be porous or non porous and deposited before or after sintering the first layer. If it is deposited after sintering, it may require additional sintering steps. Additional layers may be deposited by further electrophoretic deposition, sol-gel coating, dip coating, vacuum casting, brushing, spraying or other known techniques.

Abstract: Electrochemical plating polymer additives and method which reduces metal overburden in an electroplated metal while optimizing gap fill capability are disclosed. The polymer additives are provided in an electrochemical plating bath solution and may include low cationic charge density co-polymers having aromatic and amine functional group monomers. The low cationic charge density polymers may include benzene or pyrollidone functional group monomers and imidazole or imidazole derivative functional group monomers.

Abstract: A method to electrolytically polymerize aromatic hydrocarbons and oxidize cyclopentane structures within the hydrocarbons into cyclopentanone structures is disclosed including a method to electrolyze fluorene in the presence of an ester to produce poly(9-fluorenone). A method to electrolytically oxidize polymers having cyclopentane structures to polymers having cyclopentanone structures is also disclosed including a method to electrolyze poly(fluorene) to produce poly(9-fluorenone). In addition, a method to chemically oxidize polymers containing cyclopentane structures into polymers containing cyclopentanone structures is disclosed, including a method to oxidize poly(fluorene), with a chemically prepared oxidizing agent, to produce poly(9-fluroenone).

Abstract: This invention concerns the commercial production of electrolytic hydrogen from coal and other hydrocarbon compounds. The process provides high capacity and low impedance compared to conventional diaphragm electrolytic cells. The hydrogen produced is suitable for combined cycle gas turbines and fuel cell power generation plants and for proton electrolytic membrane fuel cell powered transport vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of testing a cryogenic metal tank before it is put into service, in which said method said tank (1) is filled with water and appropriate measurements are performed where necessary, the method being characterized in that the following steps are performed: filling said metal cryogenic tank (1) with sea water; and providing the bottom and side metal walls (2, 3) of said tank (1) that are constituted essentially by bare steel, with temporary cathodic protection by injecting an electric current into anodes disposed within said tank (1) once said anodes become immersed. Advantageously, a first anode array (51) is placed in the immediate vicinity of the bottom of the tank using support means (52), said support means (52) and said first anode(s) (51) preferably being removable.

Abstract: The invention is a redox control and monitoring platform that is to be used in conduction with another detection scheme. The platform includes a portion of an electrochemical control. The electrochemical control can be operated to control and measure the redox environment of a sample. The electrochemical control can be provided in a multiplicity of test regions to allow high throughput analysis of a multiplicity of samples. The present method and system allows the determination of the effect of the change in redox environment on the binding or other activity of the species in the sample that is directly affected by the redox environment.

Abstract: A sanitation system comprising of a first tank for receiving waste water fluid typically comprising solids, a maceration pump for pulling waste water fluid from the first tank, a cross flow filter comprising of media for receiving the sheared fluid forming unfiltered waste water and product water, a second tank for receiving the product water from a product water manifold connected to the second segment, a vented loop in communication with the second tank for receiving raw water and displacing product water from the second tank, a macerating water jet adapted to pull product water into the vented loop and on demand further macerate the product water, then into a third tank for receiving water from the vented loop and raw water for de-chlorinating the product water, and a control panel comprising a microprocessor to optimize the operation of the sanitation system.

Abstract: A fuel filter includes a first filter chamber, a second filter chamber and a valve assembly disposed between the first and second filter chambers. The valve assembly includes a valve casing with a valve head connected to a flag indicator slidably disposed within the valve casing and movable between a first and second position. A port located in the valve casing allows fuel to flow from the first filter chamber to the second filter chamber when the valve head and flag indicator moves from the first position to the second position. A transparent portion of the valve casing allows the flag indicator to be visible in the second position allowing a user to determine that the fuel filter must be serviced or removed and replaced.

Abstract: A system is provided for treating runoff water in which there is a separator and a filter for cleaning the water. A reservoir is provided to hold large quantities of water during prolonged rainstorms. The output of the reservoir is fed to the filter. The rate of flow from the reservoir to the filter is controlled and limited to flow rates at which the filter can efficiently clean the water.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a pressure limiting valve for preventing transmission of elevated pressure to components downstream of the apparatus. Preferably, the pressure limiting valve is used in combination with a flow regulating device that maintains a substantially steady flow rate through the apparatus even when subject to a wide range of applied pressure. The apparatus of the present invention is preferably suitable for use with filter systems wherein the pressure limiting valve is placed upstream of filter components that have limited burst and fatigue life capabilities. By isolating the downstream filter components from pressures that are greater than the target pressure range for a given application, the filter components can be designed to operate at much lower pressure, can be produced at a smaller size, and at a reduced cost.

Abstract: A filter apparatus is provided which includes a first filter membrane element (40a), and a second bacterial filter membrane element. The first viral filter element (40a) is capable of treating water at a first second flow rate and is adapted to remove contaminants which are larger than a first size, while the second bacterial filter element (40b) is capable of treating water at a second higher flow rate and is adapted to remove contaminants which are larger than a second contaminant size. The first and second filter elements (40a), (40b) may be commonly housed within a sealed housing. An accumulating vessel (60) is placed in fluid communication with an outlet of the first filter element (40a) and an outlet of the second filter element (40b). The filter apparatus includes a duck bill type check valve (75) made of an antimicrobial material intermediate the second filter element (40b) and a dispensing faucet (70).

Abstract: An apparatus for treating organic waste. The apparatus includes a tank having an interior chamber. A weir having a lower opening is disposed in the tank and this weir divides the tank into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. The inlet chamber receives organic waste and an outlet discharges liquid to a waste disposal system from the outlet chamber. Microbes capable of biodegrading organic waste are introduced into the inlet chamber. A pump recirculates liquid from the bottom of the inlet chamber to the top of the inlet chamber.

Abstract: An oil collecting apparatus (1) and a method for collecting oil or the like comprises a frame (5) designed to form a restricted space with the surface of water or ice (VL), and a discharge opening (8) for discharging water and oil from side restricted space. For efficient recovery of oil, the apparatus comprises elements (7,10) for lowering the air pressure in the restricted space, such that the water level rises higher inside the frame (5) than outside it, and a disintegrator (10) arranged rotatably in the frame (5), the rotational movement of the disintegrator emulsifying the oil mixed with the water and breaking possible pieces of ice (13) in the restricted space, such that the water-oil mixture can be removed from the restricted space via the discharge opening (8).

Abstract: A method for use in two-components electrostatic image developers is disclosed, in which secure separation of a carrier coating resinous materials from a core magnetic material is achieved without affecting the properties of the core materials through process steps benign to the environment in super- or sub-critical water compositions under the conditions of a temperature of 300° C. or more and a pressure of 20 MPa. The core magnetic material is subsequently recycled for forming carrier. This method may also be useful for processing waste including magnetic materials with silicone resin coating.

Abstract: The probe has a triple tube structure, in which an eluate from a liquid chromatograph flows through an innermost flow passage, a matrix solution flows through a flow passage outside the innermost flow passage, and the air or acetone flows through an outermost flow passage. Before analysis, acetone is flowed to rinse the matrix compound deposited in the previous analysis and clean the tip portion of the probe, and then the air is flowed to evaporate the rinsing solution.

Abstract: An oil-conditioning filter, for use with an internal combustion engine, includes a filter element and an additive cartridge, for gradually dispensing an oil additive over time. The additive cartridge has a beneficial oil-conditioning agent contained therein. Placement of the cartridge allows for fluid filtration through the filter element before fluid communication with the additive of the additive cartridge. An additive dispersing member is also described.

Abstract: A filter system in which a housing and an environmentally friendly filter cartridge are coordinated to provide ease of change of the filter cartridge and reliable operation. The cartridge contains no metal parts and is readily incinerateable. The housing is provided with a number of “universality” features including a changeable bottom which allows the housing to operate as a fuel filter, a lubrication filter, or a hydraulic filter in different applications. The housing and cartridge are configured to provide support for the plastic elements of the cartridge to prevent crushing of the filter under normal and abnormal filter operating conditions. A key system associated with the cartridge and the housing provides assurance that the correct filter is installed for a particular application.

Abstract: Method for separating whole blood into a leukocyte-depleted erythrocyte concentrate and thrombocyte-containing plasma, in which method whole blood is separated in a first step into an erythrocyte concentrate and plasma in a plasma filter and is then separated into a second erythrocyte concentrate and more thrombocyte-containing plasma during the return flow through the same plasma filter, the erythrocyte concentrate obtained being mixed with an additive solution, and the entire separation system being closed on itself and sterile.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus and method for filtering a stream. The apparatus comprises a rotor that contains an inlet for the stream and an array of cavities operatively arranged to receive the stream from the impeller. The rotor member further includes membranes, operatively positioned within the array of cavities, for separating the impurities from the stream, and a permeate outlet for delivering a permeate from the rotor. A drive member is included for rotating the rotor so that the stream is exposed to a centrifugal force. In one preferred embodiment, the rotor contains a baffle plate to distribute the stream about the inner portion and an impeller vane adapted to receive the stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods convey the blood through a gap defined between an inner surface that is located about an axis and an outer surface that is concentric with the inner surface. At least one of the inner and outer surfaces carries a membrane that consists essentially of either a hemofiltration membrane or a hemodialysis membrane. The systems and methods cause relative movement between the inner and outer surfaces about the axis at a selected surface velocity, taking into account the size of the gap. The relative movement of the two surfaces creates movement of the blood within the gap, which creates vortical flow conditions that induce transport of cellular blood components from the membrane while plasma water and waste material are transported to the membrane for transport across the membrane. Shear-enhanced transport of waste materials and blood plasma water results.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering fluid substances is used with a machine for injecting meat products. The device comprises a container (4) comprising filter units (3a, 3b) communicated independently with a suction outlet (6) through respective valve devices (9a, 9b) that can be moved between open and closed positions. Each filter unit (3a, 3b) is mounted to the end of a pivoting connecting conduit (22a, 22b) which is connected to the respective valve device (9a, 9b) thereof. Each conduit (22a, 22b) and filter unit (3a, 3b) can pivot between a lowered operating position, whereby the valve device (9a, 9b) is open and the filter unit (3a, 3b) is submerged in the fluid, and an erect maintenance position, whereby the valve device (9a, 9b) is closed and the filter unit (3a, 3b) and the fixing means (13) thereof emerge out from the fluid and are accessible so that they can be released.