Abstract: An inverted-bottle fluid dispensing system providing efficient fluid dispensation. Various aspects of the present invention provide a stem comprising an outer surface and an inner surface defining an inner fluid flow cavity. A slot may, for example, provide a flow path between the outer surface and the inner cavity. The slot may, for example, be substantially longitudinally aligned on the stem. The stem may, for example, include a cylindrically shaped portion and a flat portion, at least a portion of which may be longitudinally coextensive with the cylindrically shaped portion. Further for example, the stem may include a plurality of faces culminating in a vertex at a tip, where at least one of the faces may comprise an aperture extending between the outer surface and the inner cavity. Also for example, the stem may comprise a base portion, where the base portion includes at least one aperture extending therethrough.

Abstract: A filler tube assembly for use in a system having vapor recirculation includes a check valve having a flapper that is responsive to the viscosity of fluid around the flapper and/or a differential pressure across the flapper. The assembly also includes a nozzle chamber formed in the filler neck that has a constant diameter to ensure consistent vacuum generation regardless of fuel nozzle length.

Abstract: An edger is formed by attaching a knife to a pole for edging a lawn. The edger may have a foot rest.

Abstract: A fixed base router has a base supporting an upright wall. A motor based driver assembly is received in a cylindrical interior space delimited by the wall and movable along a spiral path. A read-out system includes a position sensor that detects and applies the displacement of the driver assembly along the spiral path to a processor based circuit, which in turn generates a signal indicating the displacement and a display device showing up the displacement for visual inspection. The read-out system allows for precise positioning the driver assembly and thus setting a cutting depth of a tool bit carried on and driven by the driver assembly so that adjustment of positioning of the tool bit is made simple, readable and precise.

Abstract: A cutting blade for a chipping machine, with the cutting blades being designed so that splitting blades extending at least essentially perpendicular to a cutting edge of the cutting blade are present, which project beyond the cutting edge and/or stand out from the cutting edge. The cutting blade consists of a blade support and a blade head, with the blade head corresponding with a friction fit to the blade support, and with the blade head being designed as a disposable component.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a holding mechanism for holding an object and a processing mechanism for irradiating the object held by the holding mechanism with a laser beam to locally heat/cool the object. The holding mechanism curves the object so as to project an expected splitting line of the object.

Abstract: There is provided a rolling bearing which has long life against rolling fatigue and exhibits no decrease in fracture strength and no increase in rate of dimensional change over time, even if the part size thereof is large, and which can obtain higher strength by crystal grains being further refined, if it has a size equal to or smaller than a prescribed size. The rolling bearing according to the present invention includes a race and a rolling element. At least one member of the race and the rolling element has a nitrogen-enriched layer in its surface layer, and a surface layer portion contains austenite crystal grains having a grain size number of at least 11. The member has hardenability allowing a position exhibiting HRC50 in a hardenability test method for steel to be apart from a quenched end by a distance of at least 12.7 mm ( 8/16 inch).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a soft magnetic material exhibiting excellent magnetic characteristics regardless of the frequency to be applied and a dust core produced from the soft magnetic material. The means for solving the invention is a soft magnetic material that comprises metal magnetic particles 10 containing iron and oxygen. The ratio of oxygen contained in metal magnetic particles 10 is more than 0 and less than 0.05% by mass. A dust core produced using such a soft magnetic material has a coercive force of 2.0×102 A/m or less.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrogen storage alloy material which is prepared by subjecting an amorphous alloy to a heat treatment in air or an oxygen atmosphere. The amorphous alloy has a composition, in atomic %, expressed by the following formula: Zr100-a-bPdaMb (wherein 15?a?40, 0<b?10, and M is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Au, Fe, Co and Ni). The Pd, the metal M and one or more compounds thereof are dispersed in a parent phase of ZrO2 in the form of ultrafine particles. This alloy material exhibits a hydrogen storage amount of 2.5 weight % or more in a weight ratio relative to Pd contained in the material, and suited to a hydrogen storage/transportation medium. The alloy material can be produced by preparing a melt of a master alloy formed through a melting process, rapidly solidifying the melt at a cooling rate of 104 K/s or more to form the above amorphous alloy, and subjecting the amorphous alloy to an oxidizing heat treatment in air or an oxygen atmosphere at 250 to 350° C.

Abstract: A sputter target includes a metal alloy having a target surface, a rear surface and a thickness between the target and rear surfaces. The target surface and rear surface are outer surfaces of the metal alloy. The metal alloy has a thickness direction substantially along the thickness. The target surface is substantially normal to the thickness direction. The metal alloy has a single substantially homogenous microstructural zone across substantially the entire thickness. The metal alloy further includes dendrites. The dendrites at the target surface are oriented along substantially one direction, and the dendrites at a center plane of the metal alloy are oriented along substantially the same one direction. A sputter target may include a metal alloy which is a cobalt (Co) based, and may have a [0001] hexagonal close-packing (HCP) direction oriented substantially normal to the target surface.

Abstract: A copper-based alloy casting includes 69 to 88% of Cu, 2 to 5% of Si, 0.0005 to 0.04% of Zr, 0.01 to 0.25% of P by mass, and a remainder including Zn and inevitable impurities, and satisfies 60?Cu?3.5×Si?3×P?71. Further, mean grain size after melt-solidification is 100 ?m or less, and ?, ? and ?-phases occupy more than 80% of phase structure. Furthermore, the copper-based alloy casting according to the invention can further include at least one element selected from a group consisting of 0.001 to 0.2% of Mg, 0.003 to 0.1% of B, 0.0002 to 0.01% of C, 0.001 to 0.2% of Ti and 0.01 to 0.3% of rare earth element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a copper alloy. The copper alloy consists essentially of Cu : 69 to 88 mass %, Si : 2 to 5 mass %, Zr: 0.0005 to 0.04 mass %, P : 0.01 to 0.25 mass %, and Zn : balance; has relation of, in terms of a content of an element a, [a] mass %, f0=[Cu]?3.5[Si]?3[P]=61 to 71, f1=[P]/[Zr]=0.7 to 200, f2=[Si]/[Zr]=75 to 5000, and f3=[Si]/[P]=12 to 240; has a metal structure that contains ? phase and, K phase and/or ? phase, and has relation of, in terms of a content of a phase b, [b]%, in an area rate, f4=[?]+[?]+[K]?85 and f5=[?]+[K]+0.3[?]?[?]=5 to 95; and has an average grain diameter of 200 ?m or less in a macrostructure when melted and solidified.

Abstract: A method for making a hybrid casting and forging stainless steel product includes a) casting a stainless steel to form a cast billet, b) heat forging the cast billet to eliminate micro-shrinkage pores and gas holes produced in the cast billet during the casting process so as to form a forged element having a compact structure, and c) performing a solution treatment on the forged element to form a hybrid casting and forging stainless steel product. Thus, the hybrid casting and forging stainless steel product has mechanic specifications similar to that of the forged element by the forging process and the solution treatment, so that the stainless steel product has greater mechanic features and lower price, thereby enhancing the quality of the stainless steel product, and thereby decreasing costs of fabrication.

Abstract: Disclosed are a single crystal wire and a manufacturing method thereof. The method comprises the steps of: placing into a growth crucible at least one metal selected from the group consisting of gold, copper, silver, aluminum and nickel; heating and melting the metal placed in the growth crucible; growing a single crystal using the metal crystal as a seed by the Czochralski or Bridgmari method; cutting the grown single crystal by electric discharge machining; and forming the cut single crystal into a wire. In the method, the grown metal single crystal is formed into a disc-shaped piece by electric discharge machining. The piece is formed into a single crystal wire by wire-cut electric discharge machining, and the single crystal wire can be used as a ring, a pendant or a wire within a high-quality cable making a connection in audio and video systems. Also, the single crystal formed into the disc-shaped piece by electric discharge machining can be used as a substrate and a target for deposition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a producing method of a magnesium-based alloy wrought product capable of producing a plastic processing wrought product made of magnesium-based alloy with excellent productivity. A drawn material made of magnesium-based alloy obtained by drawing processing is subjected to plastic processing into a wrought product at processing temperature of lower than 250° C. Since the alloy structure is finely divided by the drawing processing, plastic workability can be enhanced in the plastic processing even if the processing temperature is lower than 250° C. Examples of the plastic processing are forging processing, swaging processing and bending processing.

Abstract: This invention provides a high-strength and high-toughness metal which has strength and toughness each high enough to be put to practical use in expanded applications of magnesium alloys, and a process for producing the same. The high-strength and high-toughness metal is a magnesium alloy comprising a crystal structure containing an hcp-structure magnesium phase and a long-period layered structure phase. At least a part of the long-period layered structure phase is in a curved or flexed state. The magnesium alloy comprises a atomic % of Zn and b atomic % of Gd with the balance consisting of Mg.

Abstract: A method for locally heat-treating a gas turbine engine superalloy article to improve resistance to strain-induced fatigue of the article is disclosed. The method comprises providing a gas turbine engine superalloy article having a gamma prime solvus temperature; and locally over aging only a selected portion of the article to locally improve fatigue resistance at the selected portion of the article, wherein the local over age cycle includes heating at about 843° C. for about 3 to 4 hours.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a substance during which an aluminum base alloy is produced that has a content of 5.5 to 13.0% by mass of silicon and a content of magnesium according to formula Mg [% by mass]=1.73×Si [% by mass]+m with m=1.5 to 6.0% by mass of magnesium, and has a copper content ranging from 1.0 to 4.0% by mass. The base alloy is then subjected to at least one hot working and, afterwards, to a heat treatment consisting of solution annealing, quenching and artificial aging. The magnesium is added based on the respectively desired silicon content according to the aforementioned formula. The material obtained by using the inventive method comprises having a low density and a high strength.

Abstract: An energetic thin film initiator and a method of making same comprising providing a plurality of thin film layers of fuel, providing a plurality of thin film layers of oxidizer, at least one interposed between two of the thin layers of fuel, and providing an electrical input to the thin film layers that upon receipt of an electrical pulse causes ignition of layers of fuel and oxidizer.

Abstract: A gas generating composition of the present invention contains at least one fuel selected from amides, imides, and metal amine-based fuels, ammonium nitrate or phase stabilized ammonium nitrate, and at least one metal oxide. A gas generating system 200 containing a-gas generant in accordance with the present invention is also contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for supplying a pyrotechnic material slurry to a container, including the steps of taking out a pyrotechnic material slurry, stored inside a storage container, from the bottom portion of the storage container or a vicinity thereof, sealing the exposed surface of the pyrotechnic material slurry with a sealing material, maintaining the sealed state of the pyrotechnic material slurry in the process of supplying the pyrotechnic material slurry to the container.

Abstract: A pneumatic-tire-use electronic-device fixing system according to the present invention includes: an electronic-device housing apparatus 30, which houses the electronic device, and which includes an engaging convex portion 32 that is convex; and an electronic-device housing apparatus support 12, which is provided on an inner surface of the pneumatic tire, and which includes an engaging concave portion that is concave. First pullout suppression means which suppresses pullout of the engaging convex portion from the engaging concave portion is provided on at least a part of a surface of the engaging convex portion, and second pullout suppression means which engages with the first pullout suppression means is provided on at least a part of a surface of the engaging concave portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus used for tightening tire chains. One embodiment of the present invention includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The top and bottom portions have a plurality of first and second apertures, respectively. A plurality of arms are secured onto the bottom portion and extends through the second aperture and then through the first apertures. The arms have a first end which is adapted to be secured onto the bottom portion, and a second end which is adapted to secure to a tire chain. A bar variably couples the top portion and the bottom portion. The distance between the top and bottom portion add or subtract tension in the arm which correspondingly adds or subtracts tension in the tire chain.

Abstract: Presented is a tire that includes a crown, which is extended by two sidewalls and two beads and which includes a carcass ply anchored in the beads. The crown includes at least one reinforcing crown ply that includes parallel cables, which are oriented relative to the circumferential direction by an angle ? of between 10 and 45 degrees. The crown further includes at least one hooping crown ply that includes cables oriented in the circumferential direction, which are wound in a spiral. The hooping crown ply is made of a composite fabric that includes a rubber composition based on at least one diene elastomer which is reinforced by hybrid cables that each have a ratio of final tensile tangent modulus:initial tensile tangent modulus which is greater than 10.

Abstract: A hub unit includes a seal member for sealing off a space between an outer ring member and a hub wheel at an end portion lying on a vehicle-inner side in an axial direction of a rolling element arranging space defined between the outer ring member and the hub wheel, a cover which isolates an interior space including the rolling element arranging space from an exterior space at an end portion of the outer ring member which lies on a vehicle-outer side and an absorbent accommodating portion as an absorbing portion having an absorbent which absorbs oxygen in the interior space.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a sidewall reinforcing rubber disposed axially inside the carcass in each of the sidewall portion, and in order improving the ride comfort during normal running without deteriorating runflat performance, the axially inner surface of the sidewall reinforcing rubber is provided with a circumferentially extending groove. when the tire is deflated, the groove in the ground contacting patch is closed and the sidewall reinforcing rubber supports the tire load. when the tire is inflated-normally, as the sidewall portion can be bent around the groove, the ride comfort is improved.

Abstract: A belt layer 7 of a heavy load radial tire includes second and third belt plies 7B and 7C in which belt cords are arranged at an angle in a range of 10 to 45° with respect to a circumferential direction of the tire, and a fourth belt ply 7D which is disposed outside of the second and third belt plies 7B and 7C and which is spirally wound in the circumferential direction of the tire. When ply widths of the belt plies 7B to 7D are defined as W2 to W4 and at read ground-contact width is defined as Tw, the following relations are established: 0.85Tw?W2, 0.85Tw?W3, (W2?W3)?14 mm, W4?40 mm. A distance K between a tire equator and an outer end of the fourth belt ply 7D is in a range of 35% to 40% of the tread ground-contact width Tw. A reinforcing rubber layer 10 having the maximum thickness T1 of not less than 3.0 mm and a complex elastic modulus E* of in a range of 6.0 to 12.0 MPa is disposed between outer ends of the second and third belt plies 7B and 7C.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is provided which enables durability thereof to be improved by preventing oxidation degradation of belt layers. In the pneumatic tire, a carcass layer is laid between a pair of bead portions so that the carcass layer links the bead portions, an air penetration preventing layer is disposed on the inner surface of the tire along the carcass layer, and belt layers are buried in a tread portion at the side of the outer periphery of the carcass layer. In the pneumatic tire, a cord layer, which is formed by repeatedly winding a cord in the tire circumferential direction, is disposed between the carcass layer and the belt layers, and at least one portion of the cord layer is made close to the outer surface of the tire so that a distance between the cord and the outer surface of the tire is not longer than 2 mm.

Abstract: A grip for the handle of a golf club having at least a sheet with a cut-out and an insert. The insert is positioned within or against the cut-out of the sheet to define a panel. The panel is then attached to an underlisting sleeve. The grip reduces impact shock and provides a feeling of tackiness in the manner of a spirally wrapped polyurethane-felt grip while allowing the use of multiple color panels and inserts, easy installation onto a golf club shaft, and placement of various materials in various grip areas.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a seamless hat that uses cloth material having a chemical fiber component, which is cut to form cut-out pieces having specific pattern outlines, then, after affixing superimposed edges of the stitched cut-out pieces, supersonic or high frequency equipment is used to administer heat processing on the fixedly joined edges of the cut-out pieces. Thereupon, any surplus material from the stitched cut-out pieces can be cut away, only leaving the very minimum of connecting gathered edges. Then, heating art is implemented to externally apply and cover the joined areas of the gathered edges with hold-down strips containing thermosol or thermal polyurethane (TPU) membrane, thereby fabricating a hat.

Abstract: A label for a container is formed by wrapping a length of label material around a cylindrical mandrel and introducing heat, adhesive or other sealing means into a gap between the leading end portion of the label material and the trailing end portion as the label material is wrapped around the mandrel. The cylindrical sleeve is slid off of the mandrel and telescoped over a container passing thereunder. The container with a cylindrical sleeve therearound is then moved to a heating station which heats the label material, preferably foam polystyrene, to cause it to shrink into conformity with the contour of the container.

Abstract: A band layer in which a band cord is wound around in a spiral manner along a circumferential direction of the tire is provided. The band cord comprises total nine metallic wires including at least five shaped wires, and is formed by twining two to four wire bundles composed of a plurality of said metallic wires twined wile twisting each wire thereof. Each shaped wire is formed in a two-dimensional shape with repeated peaks and troughs in a condition prior to the twisting. The metallic wires of each wire bundle are revolved around the center of the wire bundle while rotating on its own axis through the twining.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing protective tubes. The inventive method comprises the following steps consisting in: producing a plurality of flat warp knit bands using a Rachel loom; and shaping said flat bands such that the longitudinal ends of each flat band join together and overlap each other, thereby forming a tubular shape. The inside diameter of the tube and the overlapped segment can be controlled and defined by the method and said inside diameter can be virtually limitless.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for substantially continuously forming thin-walled sleeves that may be incorporated into tubular devices sized for introduction into a patient. In one embodiment, a pair of sheets including coated surfaces oriented towards one another are directed through a cutting apparatus to cut the sheets into multiple pairs of strips. The pairs of strips are bonded together to create a plurality of sleeves having lumens defined by the coated surfaces. In another embodiment, a sheet having a coated surface is fed through a cutting tool to separate the sheet into a plurality of strips, and the strips are formed into sleeves, e.g., by feeding the strips through a die or mandrel using a substantially continuous process. Optionally, the sleeves may be subsequently cut into individual tubular devices and/or further processed, e.g., by providing one or more layers around the sleeves to create catheters, sheaths, or other apparatus.

Abstract: A one stage process for the preparation reservoir patches comprises feeding webs to a first pair of sealing rollers and, thence, directly to a second pair of die-cutting rollers, and in certain embodiments, directly into a packaging step, thereby avoiding most operator-related error, and substantially increasing overall sterility and reproducibility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a generally flat, planar detail, such as an electronic product or a component of such, of a plastically formable material, characterised in that it comprises the steps of first applying an adhesive cover layer containing colour pigment and a circuit comprising electrical and/or optical conductors, on at least one of the surfaces of the detail, and the form the detail plastically in order to obtain its end form. The invention also relates to a cover layer to be used in the method and a detail with the cover layer produced according to the method.

Abstract: A base tape includes: a plurality of RFID circuit elements each including an IC circuit part for storing information and a loop antenna connected to the IC circuit part; and an adhesive layer, a base film, an adhesive layer, an adhesive layer, and a separation sheet that are arranged so as to sandwich each of the RFID circuit elements from both sides in the thickness direction. The base tape is formed such that the ratio c of the sum of the thickness dimensions of the adhesive layer, base film, adhesive layer, adhesive layer, and separation sheet to the thickness dimension of the RFID circuit element is 0.8?c?9.8.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a microelectrode includes one of allocating organic molecules or forming an organic molecular layer on a first substrate, applying a release agent onto a desired pattern formed on a second substrate, attaching an electrode material to the release agent, and bonding a surface of the second substrate to which the electrode material is attached and a surface of the first substrate on which the organic molecules are allocated or the organic molecular layer is formed to transfer the electrode material to the first substrate.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and a device provided for carrying out said method for fixing, in particular for re-fixing, clothes hanger hooks (12) in a clothes hanger body (11), whereby clothes hanger hook (12) is wetted, in particular in the region of a clothes hanger hook stem (13), with an adhesive (17) adhesive (17) penetrates a gap (20) between clothes hanger hook (12) and clothes hanger body (11) in the region of a connecting point between clothes hanger hook (12) and clothes hanger body (11) such that the clothes hanger hook is glued in clothes hanger body (11).

Abstract: A self cooling container for a beverage includes a receptacle holding a refrigerant under pressure. When an outer cap of the container is opened, the refrigerant is exhausted, cooling the receptacle and the beverage surrounding it. The receptacle includes an inner receptacle member and one or more walls extending around the receptacle member, with spaces between adjacent walls being established at descending pressure values outward from the inner receptacle, which is held at a high pressure.

Abstract: By providing a high speed welding system for fusing adjacent foam profiles in a continuous manufacturing operation, a unique, integrated, foam welding and profile manufacturing system is attained which is capable of producing virtually any desired foam product from foam extrusions without requiring the use of expensive molds or forming components, and which significantly reduces expensive scrap found in prior art construction systems. In accordance with the teaching of the present invention, any desired cross-sectional shape or configuration is capable of being manufactured in fully automated, high-volume, rapid production conditions, with virtual ease and simplicity. Furthermore, by employing the present invention, foam profiles which previously were unattainable due to their structural configurations, are quickly and easily constructed in a mass production operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprising an acrylic (or methacrylic) ester copolymer obtained by polymerizing a monomer mixture comprising an acrylic (or methacrylic) estermonomer capable of forming a homopolymer having a glass transition temperature of ?20° C. or lower, a monomer having an organic acid group, and a monomer copolymerizable with these monomers in the presence of a copolymer comprising acrylic (or methacrylic) ester monomer units capable of forming a homopolymer having a glass transition temperature of ?20° C.

Abstract: Disclosed are a heat-resistant resin laminate film comprising a heat-resistant insulating film such as a polyimide film and a heat-resistant resin layer laminated thereon, which laminate film is free from warp; and a laminate film with a metal layer, comprising a heat-resistant insulating film and a metal layer laminated thereon through a heat-resistant resin layer, which laminate film with a metal layer is free from warp in the state that a circuit pattern is formed. In the heat-resistant resin laminate film, a heat-resistant resin layer is laminated on at least one surface of the heat-resistant insulating film, wherein the heat-resistant resin layer has a coefficient of linear expansion kA (ppm/° C.) within the range of k?10?kA?k+20 (k: coefficient of linear expansion of the heat-resistant insulating film). The laminate film with a metal layer is one obtained by laminating the metal layer on the heat-resistant resin layer of the heat-resistant resin laminate film.

Abstract: A process for producing a leather-like sheet, wherein a skin-like layer composed of a resin composition (C) is formed on top of a fibrous substrate (E), comprising; heating and melting a moisture-curable polyurethane hot-melt resin composition (C) which contains a hot-melt urethane prepolymer (A) having isocyanate groups at molecular terminal ends and a colorant (B), and applying said heated and melted resin composition (C) to either [1] a releasable substrate (D) and then bonding the coated surface to a fibrous substrate (E), or [2] a fibrous substrate (E) and then bonding the coated surface to a releasable substrate (D); wherein the colorant (B) contains a polyol with a number average molecular weight within a range from 1,000 to 20,000 as a vehicle (B-1), and a pigment (B-2).

Abstract: An optical monitoring system includes a ring-shaped object suspended by and engaged with a plurality of vertical plunger shafts. Normally, the vertical plunger shafts move upward and downward reciprocally and coherently, but independently, such that the ring-shaped object ascends or descends horizontally. A light transceiver device is affixed to one vertical plunger shaft. A plurality optical reflector elements are affixed to respective other plunger shafts. A light beam emanated from said light transceiver is reflected by the optical reflector elements and is eventually re-directed back to the light transceiver device.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus is provided for use in removing pollutants from a gas stream. The apparatus may include one or more thermal reaction units formed from a plurality of stacked porous ceramic rings. The thermal reaction units may be selectively coupled to one or more process tools. In some embodiments a manifold may be used to direct waste effluent toward online primary thermal reaction units and away from back-up thermal reaction units. If a primary thermal reaction unit goes off-line, the manifold may redirect waste effluent toward one or more of the back-up thermal reaction units. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A chemical-reaction inducing means is provided in an exhaust line connecting a processing space for subjecting a substrate or a film to plasma processing to an exhaust means, and at least either an unreacted gas or byproduct exhausted from the processing space are caused to chemically react without allowing plasma in the processing space to reach the chemical-reaction inducing means, thereby improving the processing ability of the chemical-reaction inducing means to process the unreacted gas or byproduct.

Abstract: A focus ring and a plasma processing apparatus capable of improving an in-surface uniformity of a surface and reducing occurrences of deposition on a backside surface of a peripheral portion of a semiconductor wafer compared to a conventional case are provided. Installed in a vacuum chamber is a susceptor for mounting the semiconductor wafer thereon and a focus ring is installed to surround the semiconductor wafer mounted on the susceptor. The focus ring includes an annular lower member made of a dielectric, and an annular upper member made of a conductive material and mounted on the lower member. The upper member includes a flat portion which is an outer peripheral portion having a top surface positioned higher than a surface to be processed of the semiconductor wafer W, and an inclined portion which is an inner peripheral portion inclined inwardly.

Abstract: A box sealing machine includes a bed, a conveying platform on the bed for conveying goods, a supporting member joined to the bed and adjustable in height, a tape applying mechanism fitted on the supporting member, and a response detecting device; the tape applying mechanism includes a tape stand, a tape roll supported on the tape stand, a cutter for severing the tape, and several supporting rollers, over which a free section of the tape roll is passed; one of the supporting rollers has a responding element fitted thereon; the response detecting device is used for sensing the responding element to monitor rotation of the supporting rollers such that warning signals will be sent out if abnormal conditions are detected when the tape is being applied onto openings of goods.

Abstract: A heat sealing tool is proposed. The heat sealing tool comprises a heat transfer device made of a metallic material for contacting objects to be sealed, and a support on which the heat transfer device is held. The heat transfer device is fixed by means of bridge elements to the support, and the bridge elements are arranged in one piece on the heat transfer device.