Abstract: Displaceable lift truck for handling slab material (L) in a storage warehouse, including a carriage movable along a rail, columns which extend upwards from the movable carriage and a material support structure movable along the columns and including a bottom body or platform provided with extractable forks. The material support structure includes, moreover, a pick-up device including extractable arms. Further related, there is a method for making up a mixed pack of slab material.

Abstract: An inventory system has inventory pods that are freely and independently moved about a facility and include inventory holders having dynamically reconfigurable storage bins. For various operating scenarios, the components of the inventory system are directed to dynamically reconfigure the storage bins, thereby maintaining efficient product density amongst the inventory holders and permitting the use of automated equipment to manipulate inventory items stored in the inventory pods. One or more inventory pods may be used with lifting modules and picking modules to dynamically reconfigure the storage bins as inventory items are added to and removed from the inventory holders.

Abstract: A system includes a first mobile drive unit and a second mobile drive unit. The system also includes a first inventory holder, a second inventory holder, and a third inventory holder. An inventory station includes a first location and a second location and the inventory station operable to receive a first inventory item from the first inventory holder at the first location. The first inventory holder is transported by the first mobile drive unit. The inventory station is also operable to receive a second inventory item from the second inventory holder at the first location. The second inventory holder is transported by the second mobile drive unit. The inventory station is also operable to receive a third inventory item from the third inventory holder at the second location. The third inventory holder is fixed at the second location while the inventory station receives the first inventory item and the second inventory item.

Abstract: A spring transfer apparatus, shown generally at 10, is positioned adjacent a spring coiling machine 12 (shown only schematically). The transfer apparatus comprises a conveying substrate in the form of a belt 14 arranged in an endless loop and driven in a direction A by a motor 16. The belt comprises a plurality of magnetic spring holders 18 which are arranged in use to accept steel wire springs 20 from the coiling machine 12. Each of the magnetic spring holders has a pair of ferro-magnets 18a for holding the steel springs. The magnets are arranged such that identical poles are adjacent. The apparatus is arranged such that the magnets begin to attract the formed springs before they are cut from the length of wire by the spring coiling machine.

Abstract: A tracking apparatus and method for urging a mistracking conveyor belt back towards a correct travel path are provided. The apparatus and method both utilize downstream shifting of an end portion of an idler roller due to mistracking of the conveyor belt for directing or steering the belt back toward its correct travel path and a reaction force from the belt due to the steering thereof for energizing a tilting action of the idler roller to raise the downstream end portion thereof. In this manner, the tilting of the idler roller is not mechanically coupled to the downstream shifting of the roller end portion allowing the belt tracking apparatus herein to be bi-directional for use with conveyor belts that may be run in opposite travel directions.

Abstract: A conveyor and method for moving articles comprising a conductive material across a conveying surface using a touchless guide device disposed adjacent to a product path. The guide device generates a repelling force on a conveyed product to propel the conveyed product along the product path. Embodiments of the guide device include a linear induction motor and an array of alternating permanent magnets.

Abstract: A cantilevered screw assembly comprising an improved anchor system. In an exemplary embodiment, a support wall may be formed of a single casting with at least a portion of a bearing housing. An exemplary embodiment of a cantilevered screw assembly may also comprise at least one solid oil bearing to facilitate rotation of the screw.

Abstract: In a work system for substrates which includes plural working machines conveying circuit substrates through two paths and in which the circuit substrates are conveyed through the two paths from the working machine disposed upstream out of the plural working machines to the working machine disposed downstream, a circuit substrate of which the work result is not good is conveyed to the downstream working machine earlier than the circuit substrate of which the work result is good in a state in which the circuit substrate of which the work result is good and the circuit substrate of which the work result is not good are able to be conveyed to the downstream working machine by the upstream working machine.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved screw conveyor that reduces maintenance. The screw conveyor comprises an elongate trough assembly comprising material input and output gates formed thereon and an elongate screw fighting rotably disposed within the trough assembly. The fighting comprises an elongate hollow shaft comprising a plurality of thorough fluid holes disposed thereon, a proximal end of the shaft adapted to receive a fluid therethrough whereby, the received fluid is discharged from the plurality of fluid holes, and a pair of parallel blades helically wound around the shaft, the blades arranged such that, the fluid holes are disposed between the blades. The fluid is discharged from between the blades forms a pressurized shield between the outer edges of blades and the inner surface of the trough assembly so as to prevent the material from entering the space between the edges of the blades and the inner surface of the trough assembly.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a synchronization unit having a first conveyor belt, a second conveyor belt disposed adjacent to the first conveyor belt, an inlet end and an outlet end. The system further comprises a joint shuttle disposed between the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt, each of the first and second conveyor belts having a variable length while the distance between the inlet end and the outlet end is fixed. A discharge conveyor belt is disposed upstream the inlet end and is operating at a first velocity (VD). At a time T1, the velocity of the first conveyor belt (V1T1) is equal to the velocity of the discharge conveyor belt (VD) and, at a time T2, the velocity of the first conveyor belt (V1T2) is equal to the velocity of the second conveyor belt (Vm), without relative movement between the conveyor belts and objects conveyed thereon.

Abstract: A handling device for handling workpieces including a rotor mounted for rotation about a rotor axis, a rotary drive for introducing a rotary motion into the rotor and at least one workholder assembly, the workholder assembly including at least two workholders, which are mounted on the rotor and designed for an at least paired picking up of workpieces at a pickup position and for an at least paired delivery of workpieces at a delivery position during the rotary motion of the rotor, and further including adjusting system, which is coupled to at least one workholder of the workholder assembly, and which is designed for a cyclical adjustment of a spacing of workholders of the workholder assembly as a function of the rotary motion of the rotor.

Abstract: A transferring device for transferring and/or receiving cans, can blanks, or other containers out of or into a transferring or respectively receiving axis (U) which extends at an angle to a transport path (T), with multiple suction elements (3), which can be moved along the transport path (T) during transfer, each of which has at least one suction opening (4), and which can be connected to a negative pressure source, in order to retain the cans, can blanks, or other containers by means of suction during transport along the transport path (T), wherein the suction elements (3) are designed and/or arranged in a movable manner between a retracted and an extended position at least along some sections of the transferring and/or receiving axis (U), characterized in that the suction elements (3) are designed and arranged so as to be reversibly deformable during the movement along the transferring and/or receiving axis (U) such that the movement of the suction openings (4) together with the suctioned cans, can blanks

Abstract: A robot system includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor, a robot, and a controller. The first conveyor conveys a plurality of kinds of workpieces. The second conveyor conveys workpiece groups each including a combination of the workpieces. The controller controls the robot, and includes a situation acquirer, a determiner, and an instructor. The situation acquirer acquires a situation in a predetermined monitor area on the first and second conveyors. The monitor area is set based on a movable range of the robot. Based on the situation, the determiner determines whether one of the workpieces on the first conveyor in the monitor area is a missing workpiece of one of the workpiece groups in the monitor area. The instructor instructs the robot to hold the one workpiece and to transfer the one workpiece from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.

Abstract: Two suction arms for picking up blister packs at a stamping station in a pick position and for placing the blister packs on a conveyor in a place position, wherein the suction arms are pivotable in opposite directions. Each suction arm has three segments supported pivotably around three different axes. The transfer movement of the blister packs from the pick position to the place position and back is a combination movement, which is composed at least of the pivoting movement of the three segments around the three axes. The second, middle segments are pivoted inward toward the center plane both when in the pick position and in the place position. During the pivoting movements between the pick position and the place position, the second segments are pivoted away from each other so that the suction arms can pass by each other without colliding.

Abstract: A surface treatment system includes a surface treatment tank, a first guide rail and a second guide rail that extend at a position offset from a position over the upper opening of the surface treatment tank, and a plurality of transfer jigs that respectively hold a workpiece and are supported by the first guide rail and the second guide rail. The transfer jig includes a horizontal arm section, a first guide target section that is guided by the first guide rail, a second guide target section that is guided by the second guide rail, and a vertical arm section that is suspended from the horizontal arm section at a position between the first guide target section and the second guide target section, and holds the workpiece.

Abstract: An elbow for a solid particle conveyance system includes an elbow body having an inlet duct and an outlet duct with an interior space defined between the inlet and outlet ducts. An aeration insert is mounted to the elbow body for aerating solid particles passing through the interior space of the elbow body. The aeration insert is mounted to the elbow body to provide aeration from an elevation between that of the inlet duct and the outlet duct to facilitate downward movement of solid particles from the inlet duct across the aeration insert, and out through the outlet duct.

Abstract: A system is provided for passing matter in a flow passage of an oil and/or gas drilling or production installation, in particular for passing trash or drill cuttings in a drilling fluid return line. The system includes at least two valves arranged in series in the passage; and a control device configured to selectively or sequentially actuate the at least two valves, such that the material is allowed to pass the at least two valves in the passage. A method is also provided for passing trash or drill cuttings in a drilling fluid return line.

Abstract: A sheet container, which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus, includes a container body having a loading face to load a sheet thereon, an extension unit disposed extendable in a sheet feeding direction with respect to the container body to extend the loading face, a length regulator disposed movable in the sheet feeding direction with respect to the extension unit to regulate a sheet trailing end position in the sheet feeding direction, and a sheet size indicator having a strip-shape provided on the container body along with a moving direction of the extension unit as a reference of a position of the length regulator, having at least one sheet size mark to indicate a size of the sheet, and being variable in length in a longitudinal direction with respect to the container body along with movement of the extension unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body and a processing apparatus. The processing apparatus includes a first processing unit and a second processing unit. The main body has a manual-feed tray at one lateral face. The first processing unit and the second processing unit are stacked in the vertical direction on the same lateral face side of the main body as the manual-feed tray provided. The second processing unit is slidable in a toward-away direction between a connecting position and a separate position, and has a hollow to insert the manual-feed tray therein at the connecting position.

Abstract: There is provided a feed apparatus including: a support unit supporting a sheet; a feed roller; a first arm; a recess portion; a second arm; a biasing member; an operation lever; and an engagement portion. The engagement portion is configured to be separated from the second arm at the first position in a case that the feed roller abuts against the support surface. The engagement portion is configured to be engaged with the second arm in a case that the first arm swings in a direction in which the feed roller is separated from the support surface. The second arm is configured to swing from the first position to the second position in conjunction with swing of the first arm in a direction in which the feed roller is further away from the support surface.

Abstract: A media transport assembly includes a loadstop drive assembly to gather and compress a media stack in a media tray before a pick and feed cycle, and a pick drive assembly to pick a sheet of media from the media stack and feed the sheet of media to a media path. The loadstop drive assembly is positioned on one side of a gear wall and the pick drive assembly is positioned on an opposite side of the gear wall such that the pick drive assembly is driven by the loadstop drive assembly through the gear wall.

Abstract: A medium storage box is provided. The medium storage box includes a first supporting plate for storing first medium, a second supporting plate spaced apart from the first supporting plate, for storing second medium, and a pickup roller, disposed between the first supporting plate and the second supporting plate, for selectively picking up one of the first medium and the second medium.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a feeding member to contact a sheet and feed the sheet downstream in a sheet conveyance direction, a friction pad disposed facing the feeding member to contact the feeding member, and a receiving table including a pad mount to hold a side of the friction pad opposite a nip between the friction pad and the feeding member. The friction pad includes a fixed range secured to the pad mount upstream from the nip and a movable range extending downstream the nip in the sheet conveyance direction. A first friction force of the pad mount to act on the movable range of the friction pad is smaller than a second friction force of the sheet to act on the movable range of the friction pad.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing more consistent vacuum belt transport movement for the transport of image receiving media in image forming devices, and for the transport of packages and components for processing and storage in myriad transport belt systems employing vacuum plenums to support and secure the materials being transported on the vacuum belts. A high-velocity stream of forced air is provided in a plenum positioned between the vacuum belt and the underlying structural components to create an area of low pressure to hold the media to the opposite side of the vacuum belt. The high-velocity air layer not only creates a pressure differential to support the vacuum pressure, but also provides an air bearing below the vacuum belt between the vacuum belt and the underlying structural components to allow the vacuum belt to move easily over the underlying structural components.

Abstract: An bed roller machine for use in rolling a rug having a leading edge, comprising a main body having a main bed, a plurality of belts configured to move the leading edge of the rug into the cavity and up, a first set of fingers, each finger of the first set having a surface having a first concave cylindrical curvature, wherein the surfaces of the first set are aligned, and wherein the first set of fingers are movable as a set, and a second set of fingers, each finger of the second set having a surface having a second concave cylindrical curvature looser that that of the first surface, wherein the surfaces of the second set are aligned, and wherein the second set of fingers are movable as a set.

Abstract: A transportation device includes a first roller that transports a sheet-shaped medium from an upstream to downstream in a transporting direction; a guide member that has a guide section extended along the transporting direction and is arranged upstream of the first roller in the transporting direction; and a second roller that is movable between a correcting position where the second roller pinches the sheet-shaped medium with the first roller and corrects a curl of the sheet-shaped medium, and a standby position where the second roller separates from the transporting passage further than the correcting position, wherein the guide member is movable to an escaping position that is separated from a moving passage that is from the correcting position to the standby position of the second roller if the second roller moves to the correcting position.

Abstract: A device for producing and dispatching documents includes an electronic order processor and a processing machine controlled by the electronic order processor. The processing machine includes a printing machine and a mechanical dispatch preparation device. In order to permit a greater degree of individuality for documents generated in this manner, a locally effective document preparation device is arranged between the printing machine and the mechanical dispatch preparation device.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a pair of nip rollers at a rotational velocity that varies within each revolution is provided. A first nip roller and a second nip roller form a nip therebetween for moving a sheet or signature. A drive configured and arranged to drive a drive shaft at a constant rotational speed. A pair of variable rotational speed couplings each have an input coupled to the drive, and an output connected to a respective one of the first and second nip rollers. Each coupling rotates its respective nip roller at a rotational speed that varies within each revolution.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, an image forming unit, a storage portion, a moving unit, a stack portion, and a conveyance unit, wherein if the storage portion can store the sheet, the conveyance unit conveys the sheet on which the image has been formed to the storage portion, and if the storage portion cannot store the sheet, the image forming apparatus transitions to a standby state and waits for a discharge instruction, and when the discharge instruction is received, the conveyance unit conveys the sheet on which the image has been formed to the stack portion.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a sheet bundle binding processing apparatus capable of performing a binding process on a sheet bundle inserted to a manual setting portion of an apparatus housing and a binding process on a sheet bundle introduced to a processing tray with a common stapling unit having a simple unit moving mechanism therefor as well as facilitating staple replenishment. The present invention comprises a sheet bundle binding processing apparatus including a processing tray on which sheets are stacked, a binding device which staple-binds a sheet bundle stacked on the processing tray, and a manual setting portion to which a sheet bundle is set from the outside of the apparatus, the binding device being arranged to be movable among a first position where a sheet bundle stacked on the processing tray is to be bound, a second position where a sheet bundle set at the manual setting portion is to be bound, and a third position where staples are replenished to the binding device.

Abstract: A sheet processing device conveys a paper sheet onto which an adhesive is applied, and includes a bonding member that applies adhesives onto the conveyed paper sheet at intervals in a sheet width direction; and a protruding guide that is positioned on a conveying path, downstream of the bonding member in a sheet conveying direction, and guides the paper sheet, facing an adhesive-applied surface of the paper sheet. The protruding guide is positioned between sheet width direction lines of the adhesive-applied position and includes a protruding portion protruding into the conveying path. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the adhesive from being adhered to a device component even in a configuration in which an adhesive-applied paper sheet is moved inside the device to make a sheet jam due to the adhesion less likely to occur.

Abstract: A finisher includes an ejection port, a stacking tray, a light-emitting element, a light-receiving element, a communication section that performs data communication with an image forming apparatus and acquires a coverage rate of paper stacked on the stacking tray, and a paper-amount determination section that determines whether the amount of paper on the stacking tray exceeds a predetermined stack capacity of the stacking tray by comparing a predetermined threshold value with the amount of light received by the light-receiving element. The paper-amount determination section corrects the threshold value by using the coverage rate acquired by the communication section, compares the corrected threshold value with the amount of the light received by the light-receiving element, and determines that the amount of the paper stacked on the stacking tray exceeds the stack capacity of the stacking tray if the light amount is equal to or greater than the corrected threshold value.

Abstract: A spool holder on which a thread spool is placeable includes an engagement part detachably engaging a mount which is located on an arm of a sewing machine. In the spool holder, a support located on a rear end of a cover member is detachably attached to the mount. The cover member covers an upper side of a front of the arm and a front side of an upper surface of the arm so that the cover member is capable of opening and closing the upper side of the front of the arm and the front side of the upper surface of the arm. The spool holder is attached to the sewing machine by inserting the engagement part rearward from a front side of the sewing machine into the mount from which the cover member has been detached.

Abstract: The invention relates to a winding machine, on which, in alternation, a wound package is wound in a winding position of a spindle, while at the same time a completely wound package is removed from another spindle. With winding machines according to the prior art, the completely wound package must be removed quickly before the other wound package has reached a critical diameter to avoid a collision of their lateral faces. According to the invention, a shifting device shifts the completely wound package before or during the winding process of the wound package such that the axial extensions of the wound packages have no overlap. The collision of the wound packages can thus be prevented as the diameter of the wound package increases, whereby a more compact design with a smaller spacing of the spindles is made possible and an operator has more time to remove the completely wound spool.

Abstract: A film winding core (10) of the present invention includes a bearing portion (12), a plurality of blade portions 13, and a plurality of film supporting portions (14). The bearing portion (12) constitutes a tubular portion into which a shaft used to rotate the film winding core (10) is to be inserted. The plurality of blade portions (13) are provided respectively at a plurality of positions in a rotational direction of the bearing portion (12) and respectively extending outwardly from the bearing portion (12) so as to partition a space around the bearing portion (12) in the rotational direction. The plurality of film supporting portions (14) are respectively provided at positions outward from leading edges of the blade portions (13), and has an outwardly protruding shape so that a film (18) is supported away from the film winding core (10) between the film supporting portions (14) that are adjacent to each other in the rotational direction.

Abstract: A cord retractor includes a support member, a first length of electrical cord, a spool, and a second length of electrical cord. The spool includes a helical groove on an outer surface of the spool. The helical groove has a width corresponding to a cross-sectional width of the first length of electrical cord, and the spool is rotatably mounted on the support member. The second length of electrical cord is electrically coupled to the first length of electrical cord. A first portion of the second length of electrical cord is secured at a rotating location, and a second portion of the second length of electrical cord is secured at a stationary location. The first length of electrical cord is selectively extendable from and retractable on the spool, and the second cord flexes to accommodate the movement of the rotating location with respect to the stationary location.

Abstract: Power is recovered from an escalator or a moving walkway as the step orbits an endless track on rollers. A generator is connected to a roller orbiting the track. A battery backup is provided. The power is used for emergency lighting on the step, and for data transmission. Advertising and messages are displayed on a dynamic video screen mounted on the step. The apparatus is mostly contained within the escalator step. Information is communicated wirelessly to a remotely located central control station and back to the step, so as to display information in real time and to update advertising while the escalator is in operation. The central control station also monitors performance parameters. The visual display can include LED lighting.

Abstract: A method for using a gripping mechanism and a gripping mechanism for lifting devices is disclosed. In an embodiment a gripping mechanism includes a frame comprising parallel longitudinal members and cross members, a connecting device supported by the frame, the connecting device configured to receive a lifting gear and carriages connected to the longitudinal members, the carriages configured to be adjustable along the longitudinal members, wherein the carriages are adjustable by a drive. The gripping mechanism further includes rewinding devices located at the carriages and continuous flexible elements configured to receive a product to be transported, wherein ends of the continuous flexible elements are connected to the rewind devices, and wherein the rewinding devices are configured to lengthen or shorten the continuous flexible elements.

Abstract: A stabilizer cable has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to a crane load. The stabilizer cable loops around a boom pulley that is attached to a crane boom, then runs through a traveler pulley, then loops around a floating pulley, then loops around a deflector pulley. The deflector pulley and the second end of the stabilizer cable are positioned such that an increase in tension of the stabilizer cable urges the suspended load toward the traveler pulley. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A funnel apparatus for storage inside of a container lid. The funnel apparatus includes a circular planar sheet having a centered circular shaped pop-out member with perforated lines therearound to facilitate the removal thereof. The funnel apparatus provides an inner edge and an outer edge, wherein the inner edge is formed after removal of the pop-out member. The device can be removed from a container lid by use of a pull tab that extends from the outer edge thereof. A slit that extends from the inner edge to the outer edge of the planar sheet, wherein the user can separate the device via separating the slit in order to form ends. The device can be formed into a conical shape having a flared open upper and a tapered open bottom, wherein the open bottom is placed into the open upper of a bottle to enable the pouring of liquids and powders therein.

Abstract: A unitary funnel which is injection-molded is used for dispensing a flowable product, such as a fuel additive, into a receptacle provided with a normally-closed capless fitment. The funnel includes an inlet portion for receiving the flowable product, an inserting end portion for insertion into the capless fitment and a body portion having a tapered hollow interior and extending between the inlet portion and the inserting end portion. The inserting end portion includes a skirt which is constructed and arranged for proper engagement with the normally-closed capless fitment so as to open that capless fitment and allow the flowable product to be dispensed into the receptacle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid beverage dispenser that can be configured in a number of flexible arrangements, providing the opportunity for a configurable beverage dispensing “station” having a variable “footprint”. The hybrid beverage dispenser may have “on board” refrigeration and/or heating system for providing both hot and cold beverages from the same dispenser. A remote chiller may provide chilled syrups for the beverages. Also disclosed is a countertop hybrid beverage dispensing unit for situations where limited space is an issue. Also disclosed is a hybrid beverage dispenser that provides the ability to dispense from one dispenser beverages which usually are dispensed from separate dispensers. The countertop unit possesses the same beverage dispensing flexibility; however, all ingredients are remotely chilled and pumped to the point of dispensing.

Abstract: A water dispenser includes a slide table arranged in a lower portion thereof. The slide table includes a cup portion in which a piercing rod of a water supply line is provided, a container supporting portion configured to support from below a shoulder portion of a raw water container which is a transparent and deformable container, and a holder portion configured to guide downwardly s side peripheral portion of the raw water container. Since the surface color of the piercing rod is different from the surface color of the cup portion and the container supporting portion, it is possible to visually confirm how much the raw water container is pierced by the piercing rod.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser has containers, sized, shaped and arranged to enclose different volumes but each of the containers has a top with a refill opening that is substantially the same as the top and openings of the other containers. The containers are provided with curving transition sections that taper the sides of the container to increase or decrease the width of the container to provide a smaller or large top sizes as needed.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system and method for reducing the likelihood that a fuel tank of equipment at a well site during fracturing of a well will run out of fuel. A fuel source has plural fuel outlets, a hose on each fuel outlet of the plural fuel outlets, each hose being connected to a fuel cap on a respective one of the fuel tanks for delivery of fuel to the fuel tank. At least a manually controlled valve at each fuel outlet controls fluid flow through the hose at the respective fuel outlet.

Abstract: Complementary couplers useful in providing a coupling through which liquids may be transferred from a first storage reservoir or tank to a second storage reservoir or tank, which can be an on-board fuel tank of a motorized vehicle. There is a first coupling which is configured to be in fluid communication with the interior of a receiving vessel, fuel tank, etc. and a second coupling which is intended to be in fluid communication with the contents of a storage reservoir containing a chemical, liquid fuel, etc. The disclosure also includes a process for charging a fuel reservoir on board of a motorized vehicle from a remote reservoir, wherein the vapor in the fuel reservoir is displaced by an equal volume of fuel delivered from said remote reservoir, and wherein the vapor in said fuel reservoir is simultaneously caused to be transferred to said remote reservoir, thus permitting no escape of the vapor from said fuel reservoir to the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: A horse halter has a combination of straps and ropes configured to provide comfort for the horse and control to the trainer. Halter includes a poll strap extending over the poll of the horse, a pair of cheek straps extending along the cheeks of the horse, a nose rope having knots extending over the bridge of the horses nose, a chin rope extending below the horse's chin, a throat rope and a snap member coupled together extending below the horse's throat, and a lower jaw rope extending forwardly from the throat rope having a slide ring fixed attached at a front end for slidably receiving the chin rope.

Abstract: A MEMS vibrator includes an insulating portion, a first electrode provided on one surface of the insulating portion, a fixed portion, and a function portion, a second electrode provided so that at least a portion thereof overlaps the first electrode at a distance therefrom. The second electrode comes into contact with the function portion and extends from the fixed portion.

Abstract: A composite wafer semiconductor device includes a first wafer and a second wafer. The first wafer has a first side and a second side, and the second side is substantially opposite the first side. The composite wafer semiconductor device also includes an isolation set is formed on the first side of the first wafer and a free space is etched in the isolation set. The second wafer is bonded to the isolation set. A floating structure, such as an inertia sensing device, is formed in the second wafer over the free space. In an embodiment, a surface mount pad is formed on the second side of the first wafer. Then, the floating structure is electrically coupled to the surface mount pad using a through silicon via (TSV) conductor.

Abstract: A sensor structure is disclosed. The sensor structure may include a lead frame for supporting a MEMS sensor, a recess in a surface of the lead frame, and a MEMS sensor coupled to the surface of the lead frame and arranged over the recess to form a chamber. Alternatively, the lead frame may have a perforation formed through it and the MEMS sensor may be coupled to the surface of the lead frame and arranged over an opening of the perforation.