Abstract: Laser-based material processing systems and methods for using such systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, a laser-based material processing system includes a workpiece support, a positioning assembly over at least a portion of the workpiece support, and a laser. The system also includes a laser beam director carried by the positioning assembly to direct a beam generated by the laser toward the workpiece support. The system further includes a dispensing unit carried by the positioning assembly to discharge a material toward the workpiece support. The dispensing unit can be configured to discharge a number of different materials onto a workpiece carried by the workpiece support.

Abstract: A method and system includes the accurate positioning of a sample in a multi-axis range of motion. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention enables this movement by combining coarse and fine motion stages. By using a combination of stages and precise measuring means, normal and typical errors are significantly reduced.

Abstract: An energy beam machining system includes an emitter for emitting an energy beam and beam adjusting optics, such as a zoom telescope, for adjusting the pupil size of the system to multiple values. The adjusting of the pupil size can be carried out automatically, semi-automatically, or manually. In manual modes, instructions can be presented to the operator (e.g., via a monitor or pre-programmed audio instruction) indicating how to adjust pupil size. A focus lens focuses the adjusted beam directed along each path at a different focal point within a scan field encompassed in the field of view of the focus lens. Beam directing optics are configured to enable multiple scan fields within the field of view of the focus lens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides welding-type power and preferably includes a removable battery or other energy storage device, a converter connected to the battery, and a controller. The controller may have a CV and/or a CSC and/or an AC weld control module, and/or an ac auxiliary control module. The converter is a boost converter, a buck converter, a cuk converter, a forward converter, an inverter, a bridge converter, and/or a resonant converter. The controller may include a battery charging control module, and may have one or more charging schedules, and/or data for stored charge, thermal information, expected life of the battery, maximum amp-hour charge for the battery, maximum charging current and/or feedback. The battery charging schedules may include at least 3 phases, such as a phase of increasing voltage and a phase of decreasing current, a substantially constant power phase. The controller can wirelessly provide data to a display or pda.

Abstract: An arc welding system including an electric circuit including a power source, a welding torch with a consumable welding wire, a workpiece and a control system including a computer, memory and elements for tuning the arc welding system.

Abstract: A metal cored electrode used to form a weld metal on a workpiece having improved yield strength, tensile strength and impact toughness.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the welding of copper using activated TIG welding (8). In particular, the copper coils (6) of electrical generators (2) are welded using the present invention.

Abstract: A contact tip for a welding gun having a central passage for a welding wire moving in a given direction toward a workpiece and receiving a welding signal by contact of the wire with the tip. The passage has an innermost end, an outermost exit end and a length of at least 1.5 inches and an opening in the contact tip intersects the passage so a pressure block slidably mounted in the opening is biased toward the wire by a spring around the contact tip urging the block against the wire. This tip is dimensioned and constructed to perform pulse welding by a relatively ductile aluminum wire.

Abstract: A contact tip for a welding gun having a central passage for a welding wire moving in a given direction toward a workpiece and receiving a welding signal by contact of the wire with the tip. The passage has an innermost end, an outermost exit end and a length of at least 1.5 inches and an opening in the contact tip intersects the passage so a pressure block slidably mounted in the opening is biased toward the wire by a spring around the contact tip urging the block against the wire. This tip is dimensioned and constructed to perform pulse welding by a relatively ductile aluminum wire.

Abstract: A welding system is disclosed in which the rate of advancement of wire electrode is determined automatically. The device can include a control circuit that determines the rate of advancement of the wire electrode in response to a signal from the voltage selection device of the welding system. Depending upon the operator selected voltage which is selected via the voltage selection device, the control circuit will determine the appropriate rate of wire electrode advancement and control the advancement mechanism (e.g., electric motor) accordingly. Linking of the voltage level and wire-feed speed controls facilities easy of use for more novice operators and, furthermore, facilitates single-handed adjustment of two operational parameters during a welding process.

Abstract: A thermal type flow sensor measures a flow rate of a fluid by means of a heat resistive element having a temperature dependency. The sensor is comprised of: plural heat resistive elements used for a flow rate measurement; and a driver circuit for controlling a current applied to these heat resistive elements to cause their heating. The driver circuit is configured to sense a resistance change of a lower-temperature side heat resistive element among the plural heat resistive elements and to control the current to be applied to the plural heat resistive elements in accordance with a sensed value of the lower-resistance's variation.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling of an electrical circuit element on an electrical element package, comprising in combination, structure including a hollow body defining a cavity for containing cooling fluid located in heat transfer relation with said element, a rotatably tightenable connection between said package and said hollow body, and acting to block leakage of cooling fluid from said cavity.

Abstract: Atmosphere in processing apparatus is adjusted to, for example, oxygen atmosphere, by gas supply source and the like. Interior of thermal processing apparatus is set to oxygen atmosphere and raised to predetermined temperature. A wafer boat containing wafer W having dielectric precursor layer formed is loaded into thermal processing apparatus at speed at which no defects are produced in wafer W. Thereafter, reaction tube of thermal processing apparatus has its internal temperature raised to baking temperature, to perform baking for predetermined time. The wafer W is cooled to predetermined temperature in thermal processing apparatus and then to room temperature in processing apparatus, and carried out from processing apparatus.

Abstract: In the present invention, a plurality of heat treatment units are arranged side by side in a linear form and a substrate transfer mechanism for transferring the substrate between the heat treatment units is provided in a heat treatment apparatus. The substrate is sequentially heat-treated in the arrangement order, whereby one heat treatment as a whole is dividedly and successively performed in the plurality of heat treatment units. This allows substrates to be heat-treated along the same route and uniforms the thermal history among the substrates. At the time when heat-treating a plurality of substrates the present invention causes less variation in thermal history among the substrates as compared to the case of parallel heat treatments.

Abstract: A convection oven includes an oven body having a heating chamber heated by a heat source, and a vibration unit mounted at one side of the oven body and vibrating heated air so as to be uniformly distributed within the heating chamber. As the vibration unit vibrates, air within the heating chamber can be fluctuated periodically to promote mixing between more heated air and less heated air to make temperature of air uniform. Accordingly, heat can be uniformly distributed to a cooking target or material, quality of cooking can be improved, and in addition, because cooking time can be shortened, the performance of the oven can be enhanced.

Abstract: A cooking pot includes a cooking container, an electric heat generator, and a control sensor. The cooking container has a cooking cavity and defines a bottom wall thereof. The electric heat generator includes a heat generating module, which is adapted for electrically connecting with a power source, supported within the cooking cavity of the cooking container at the bottom wall thereof, wherein the heat generating module has an upper heating surface for transmitting heat within the cooking cavity. The control sensor is mounted within the cooking cavity of the cooking container to operatively control the heat generating module in an on-and-off manner, wherein the control sensor has a sensor point positioned above the heating surface of the heat generating module such that a distance between the bottom wall and the sensor point is larger than a distance between the bottom wall and the heating surface of the heat generating module.

Abstract: A portable personal heating device including a heater and an optional heat suit is disclosed. The heater is adapted to be used with a removable heat source including a base to receive the heat source and a heat stack attached to the base. The heat suit is preferably a camouflaged poncho, which encompasses a user's body and the heater to keep warm and enhances the blending and camouflaging of the user relative to an environment. The personal heating device is simple, portable, lightweight and effective for outdoor recreations in winter.

Abstract: A bottle heater that includes a flexible band member having an inner heating surface adapted to be in contact with the bottle, a releasable retaining member for securing the flexible band member about the outer surface of the bottle and an electrical heating element disposed in the flexible band member for heating the flexible band member and extending over a heating element area. A first thermostat is disposed within the heating element area over the flexible band member for sensing and controlling the temperature of the electric heating element and a second thermostat is disposed within the heating element area spaced from and under the electrical heating element for sensing the temperature of the bottle.

Abstract: A heater for heating elongated objects including an elongated strip of flexible material having first and second ends and elongated opposite side edges defining a width therebetween. The strip of material comprises a fiber reinforced elastomeric material having at least a first portion that is set in a spiral. The heater also includes at least one elongated electrically conductive heating element imbedded in the elongated strip of elastomeric material. A thermostat is operably coupled to the heating element, and the thermostat is encapsulated in an elastomeric dielectric material that is bonded to the elastomeric material of the strip to provide a waterproof seal around the thermostat. The heater further includes an electrical power line extending from the thermostat for supplying power to the heater.

Abstract: A baking utensil comprising a main body consisting essentially of magnetically insusceptible material selected from the group consisting of polymeric material, ceramic, glass, tile, stone, and any combinations thereof, and comprising a magnetically susceptible component supported by the main body.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for bonding of materials by induction heating of an electrically conductive material upon which a second material is bonded. The electrically conductive material is induction heated between a first induction heating plate, and the combination of a frame and a second induction heating plate that is disposed within the frame. The second induction heating plate is removed from the surface of the electrically conductive sheet, while the frame continues to hold the electrically conductive sheet flat, and the second material, in liquid form, is poured into the interior opening of the frame in which the second induction heating plate was originally placed. The liquid material solidifies and bonds to the electrically conductive sheet to produce a bonded product.

Abstract: An arrangement for a vehicle, such as the head lamp, includes a part that needs a snow-melting structure, a line heater that is transferred to and mounted on the part, and a power-supplying unit that supplies electric current to the line heater. The line heater includes a base film, an adhesive layer, a line-patterned conductive member, and a resist layer. The adhesive layer is adhered to the part and thereby the line-patterned conductive member is transferred to the part.

Abstract: A cleaning processing jig is inserted into a bolt heater hole, and pollution such as extraneous matter on an inner surface of the hole is removed by a waste cloth. A penetration processing jig is inserted into the hole, and the penetrant is made to uniformly penetrate into the inner surface by a sponge onto which a penetrant is applied. Then, a developing processing jig is inserted into the hole, and the inner surface is developed by injecting a developer toward the inner surface from an injection tip provided on a head. When a predetermined time elapses after the developing processing, a visual inspection tool in which a visible head is attached to a tip of a pipe is inserted into the hole, and the inner surface is visually inspected through a light pipe connected to the visible head.

Abstract: An induction heating apparatus comprises a substantially gas-tight enclosure through which a workpiece passes. An induction means surrounds the exterior of the enclosure and an ac current flow though the induction means establishes a magnetic field that couples with the workpiece to inductively heat the workpiece. The gas-tight enclosure may comprise a non-electrically conductive material to permit passage of the magnetic field for coupling with the workpiece and an electromagnetic shield material for restricting the regions of the magnetic field. In alternate examples an electromagnetic shunt located around the induction means is used in place of, or in combination with, the electromagnetic shield material to restrict the magnetic field in a direction towards the workpiece.

Abstract: A field director assembly includes electrically conductive vanes positioned with respect to each other and to a planar support member to prevent overheating of the susceptor in an unloaded microwave oven.

Abstract: A susceptor assembly includes electrically conductive vanes positioned with respect to each other and to an planar susceptor member having an electrically lossy layer thereon to prevent overheating of the susceptor in an unloaded microwave oven.

Abstract: A self-venting microwave cooking container (10) for use with a vertical fill automated machine generally comprises a bag portion (12), a tray portion (14), and a venting configuration (16). The bag portion (12) defines an opening (18) for receiving a food product from a vertical fill automated machine, and the tray portion (14) includes a floor having a surface (32) for supporting the food product. Once the food has been delivered to the container, the opening (18) is sealed, and the food product is maintained within the container and ready for subsequent cooking in a microwave oven.

Abstract: An apparatus for welding a plastic component to a body's aperture comprises a frame element, a first heating head mounted to the frame element for heating the component, a gripper for gripping the component and for mounting the component to the body's aperture, a heater arm having a second heating head mounted thereto for heating the body's aperture, and an actuator for mounting both the heater arm and the gripper to the frame element for alternating between a heating position wherein i) ia) the gripper is generally aligned with the first heating head for abutment therewith following relative movement towards each other, while ib) the second heating head is positioned for heating the body's aperture, and a work position wherein ii) the gripper is generally aligned with the body's aperture for mounting the component to the body's aperture for welding therewith.

Abstract: A fuel container is disclosed, which is used for supplying fuel to a fuel cell. The fuel container, adapted for supplying fuel to a fuel cell, is composed of a tank and a cover covering the tank, in that the tank is further comprised of: a first reservoir for accommodating a methanol solution; and a second reservoir for accommodating the water generated during the operating of the fuel cell and the water to be replenished therein. The fuel container of the invention not only is capable of storing and supplying fuel to a fuel cell, but also is capable of recycling the water generated during the operating of the fuel cell to be used as replenishing water. Moreover, the replacing of water and methanol can be accomplished at the same time as the fuel container is replaced, so that the space utilization of fuel cell can be rationalized and optimized for enhancing the usability and convenience of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A container comprising a first tubular body defining a fastening structure and a seam that extends across an end wall, and at least one depressed channel formed in the end wall. The seam is located in the depressed channel so as to separate the seam from the contents of the container. In an embodiment, there is a second tubular body secured to the first tubular body by a fastening structure that cooperates with the fastening structure of the first tubular body. The second tubular body also has a seam that extends across a wall that is located in a depressed channel so as to separate the seam from the contents of the container.

Abstract: In a packaging for butter or a similar product, including a flat bottom part with a low circumferential bottom side wall provided with a lower rim and cover part with a circumferential downwardly extending side wall which is substantially higher than the bottom side wall and includes at its lower end an upper rim for disposition on the bottom rim, the rims are provided with cooperating element for form-locking engagement when the cover part is placed onto the bottom part and a seal ring extends around the rims for sealingly joining the bottom part and the cover part.

Abstract: In a case having a cover and a case body openably connected to each other via a shaft and a shaft inserting portion, a quantity of gel to be used can be reduced while a braking effect of the cover is satisfactorily secured. A shaft is inserted into a shaft inserting portion such that a cover is turned with respect to a case body on the shaft to be thus opened. An urging mechanism urges the cover in an opening direction. A viscous material is charged between the shaft and the shaft inserting portion such that the cover is slowly opened with respect to the case body. An engaging projection is disposed at either one of the shaft or the shaft inserting portion while an engaged recess engageable with the engaging projection is disposed at the other to enlarge a contact area between the shaft and the shaft inserting portion via the viscous material.

Abstract: A system and method are provided including a containment system for containing leaks or spills from at least one battery. Further provided is a liner formed in the containment system. Such liner is formed of a material capable of being applied to the containment system in a liquid form, whereafter the material solidifies for containing the leaks or spills from at least one battery.

Abstract: An improved container particularly useful for foods is provided. The container includes a receptacle and a membrane adhered to a lip portion of the receptacle at an attachment zone extending around the entirety of the lip. An overcap is provided which is removably secured to the receptacle and includes a rib member on the interior of the lid engageable with the membrane adjacent the attachment zone of the membrane to the lip of the receptacle.

Abstract: A tamper evident fitment assembly for use with a container for flowable material, the closure comprising a cap and a spout secured to the container, the cap having a frangible tamper evident band, the cap having an annular recess for frictionally engaging a top portion of the spout, the cap and spout having cooperating detent and locking elements so that the assembly in a first position where the cap is removably sealed to the spout and the tamper evident band is not broken when the cap is removed for filling may move to a second position when the cap is removably sealed to the spout and the tamper evident band is broken upon removal of the cap. An important feature of the present invention is that the cap frictionally engages a top portion of the spout.

Abstract: A descending control system for a garbage bin includes a bin provided with a pedal to control an active rod to ascend and descend to open and close a lid. A gear and a rack are provided in the bin. Both the gear and the rack are disposed with teeth to engage with each other. The height of the teeth on the rack decreases from a first end toward a second end of the rack. The engagement between the teeth of the gear and the teeth of the rack reduces the closing speed of the lid.

Abstract: To provide a fuel sealing structure capable of preventing the leakage of not only liquid fuel but also gasified fuel, an annular packing 30 is interposed between an annular sealing surface 15 on an opening part 11 of a container 20 and an annular sealing surface 25 of a closure 20. The distance between the second regions 15b, 25b of the sealing surfaces 15, 25 is shorter than that between the first regions 15a, 25a. The packing 30 includes a first sealing part 31 sandwiched between the first regions 15a,25a and a second sealing part 32 sandwiched between the 15b, 25b. The second sealing part 32 is smaller in thickness than the first sealing part 31 and the difference of the thicknesses is larger than the difference of distances between the above-mentioned regions. With the closure 20 attached, the compression ratio of the second sealing part 32 is smaller than that of the first sealing part 31.

Abstract: A mug for foodstuff dunking is described. It is divided into two compartments each of which in use contains liquid beverage, one from which the user will drink, and the other into which a foodstuff can be dipped or dunked. The dividing wall provides a fluid path between the two compartments so that they be filled by simply pouring liquid into one of the two compartments, but the wall substantially separates the contents of the two compartments to prevent contamination of the first by the contents of the second. Typically the volume of the second compartment is less than that of the first. The dividing wall is formed by a plate inserted into the mug which may be secured in place or be slid into grooves in the inner face of the mug. The dividing wall or plate may be curved or otherwise shaped so as to increase the area of at least the upper region of the compartment from which the user will drink.

Abstract: A system for fastening, by welding, a component having a portion with a conical surface profile to a motor vehicle fuel tank that includes an opening whose perimeter has a conical surface profile. The welding is carried out between at least one portion of the conical surface of the perimeter of the opening in the tank and at least one portion of the conical surface of the component.

Abstract: A double-walled tank for the transport of fluid, the tank includes a rigid fluid impervious substantially cylindrical inner container concentrically nested within a rigid correspondingly substantially cylindrical outer container, the inner and outer containers having end walls sealing the containers. A grapple mount is mounted to an upper side of an outer surface of the outer container at a substantially medial position substantially medially along the outer container. A lower side of the outer container, opposite the upper side, is reinforced. The grapple mount may include a rigid plate mounted atop the upper side of the outer container at the medial position. An anti-surge baffle is mounted across, so as to extend between and into engagement with, an upper side of the inner container adjacent the baffle mount and a lower side of the inner container adjacent the reinforced lower side of the outer container.

Abstract: A fabric cover is configured with a decorative fabric skirt coupled to the periphery edge of an insulating bottom piece. The fabric cover has a skirt having a width extending between a top edge and a bottom edge. The bottom edge of the fabric skirt is attached to the periphery edge of the insulating bottom piece. The top edge of the skirt is folded around a draw string and has opening at the ends exposing draw string pulls. A hot container is set onto the insulating bottom piece and the draw string pulls are extended to gather the fabric skirt around the ends and sides of the container without deforming the container. Draw string clamps are used to hold extended draw string pulls in a desired position to secure the fabric skirt to the container. The disposable container is thus insulated and made presentable.

Abstract: An insulation beverage container (10) is provided and includes a gauge (40) for indicating the level of beverage held in the container (10). The gauge (40) includes a float (42) positioned within the container (10), a visual indicator (44) extending outside of the container (10), and a link (46) connecting the float (42) to the indicator (44) to move the indicator (44) with the float (42) as the position of the float (42) varies with the level of the beverage in the container (10).

Abstract: A double containment storage tank, suitable for storing cold liquids, is provided with a non-metallic thermal protection system. The storage tank can include a first vapour-tight and gas-tight PU coating applied by spraying on the inner surface of the floor and walls of the tank; a first insulation PU foam layer arranged on the inner side of the first coating; a second liquid-tight PU coating applied in at least the bottom corner sections of the tank by spraying on the inner surface of the first foam layer; a second insulation PU foam layer arranged on the inner side of the second coating; and a third liquid-tight PU coating arranged by spraying on the inner side of the second foam layer.

Abstract: A bulk container has a liquid barrier lip portion formed in an upper rim portion of the container side walls. The liquid barrier lip portion extends about the entire periphery of the container and provides a pooling region to prevent liquid condensate on the outside wall surfaces from coursing along the side walls and mixing with the container contents when the container is raised and tilted during unloading by a lifting and rotating mechanism.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for singularly dispensing elongated items. Specifically, this invention may include an elongated body forming a channel and a baffle to separate at least one elongated item from a plurality of elongated items. The width of the channel is preferably less than twice a thickness of the elongated item so that an elongated item may align under an aperture. The elongated item may then pass one at a time through the aperture to minimize potential cross-contamination. This apparatus and method may be particularly useful for dispensing dental applicators or other tooth cleaning devices.

Abstract: A novelty item comprises a drinking cup having a sidewall formed with a groove extending about its perimeter. A jewelry item, preferably constituting a necklace, bracelet or the like, is formed with an elastic loop and a plurality of elongated jeweled dangles each having one end fixed to the loop, at spaced points, and the other end free. The loop is dimensioned so that its unstretched length is less than the perimeter of the sidewall of the cup so that the loop may be stretched to fit over the sidewall of the cup and into the groove to retain the jewelry on the exterior of the sidewall.

Abstract: Connection system between the body (2) and a handle (3) of a kitchen utensil (1), where the handle (3) is provided with a front surface (8) designed to be seated substantially on the exterior surface (9) of the body (2), and certain fixing means (4) exert such a force (F) on the handle (3) and the body (2) that they cause the front surface (8) of the handle (3) to slide slightly on the exterior surface (9) of the body (2) and to be tightened on said exterior surface (9), thereby creating a wedge effect between both surfaces (8, 9) that helps prevent the fixing means (4) from working loose during the useful life of the kitchen utensil (1).

Abstract: A biodegradable and recyclable paper internally fitted lid or closure which improves on current lids or closures. Embodiments of this invention provide an arrangement easier for the consumer to use as it is self “seating” and requires very little if any pressure to affix as gravity does most of the work. The internally fitted lid of one embodiment seals a larger area of the beverage container opening by relying on the matching the draft angle of wall of the internally fitted lid with the draft angle of the beverage container.

Abstract: A dispensing package that includes opposed flexible front and back walls joined along opposed side edges. A transversely extending resealable closure forms a resealable opening for the dispensing package. A dispensing barricade is located between the front and back walls and comprises a flexible sheet material that is folded upon itself to form a transversely extending fold line and a pair of opposing flexible walls that are located between and in contact with interior surfaces of the front and back walls of the package. At least one restricted opening is formed in the dispensing barricade adjacent the fold line through which material in the dispensing package may be dispensed.

Abstract: A manual material bag collection kit comprising a disposable bag container and a cleansing towelette removably attached on an inside surface of the bag, that is useful for the collection of unsavory material and the cleansing of the collector, and designed such that the collector inserts a hand into the collection bag, collects the material, reverses the collection bag to encompass the collected material, and removes the attached towelette for cleansing.