Abstract: A masking for use in connection with the manufacture of circuit board comprising a polyvinyl alcohol film, which is uniformly annealed to be free of stress and strains and which is water-soluble at a temperature of 120.degree. F. A water-soluble adhesive, having a stiffness of between about medium soft and about medium, is placed on the film, and the masking material has a moisture level of below about 2% by weight.

Abstract: Apparatus for the coloring or tinting of one or more selected areas of a soft or flexible contact lens to precise measurements comprises a support means formed to closely match one of the surfaces of the lens and a mask means adapted to operatively associate with the support means to delineate said one or more selected areas by providing one or more peripheral zones of compression within the lens to prevent the migration of an applied coloring or tinting medium thereacross. In use the lens is positioned on the support means so that one of the surfaces thereof closely matches the support means, the mask means is arranged to provide one or more peripheral zones of compression delineating said one or more selected areas, and a coloring or tinting medium is applied to at least one selected area.

Abstract: An adhesive coated sheet construction adapted to be secured to a work surface for placing a predetermined design configuration thereon includes a first layer having a contact-type adhesive on a first surface thereof and a second layer which is removably affixed to the first surface of the first layer. A third layer is removably affixed to a second surface of the first layer for defining a laminated-type sheet construction. Score lines penetrating both the first and second layers define the predetermined design configuration which remains accurately positioned through retention on the third layer. Removal of selected sections of the second layer from the sheet construction enables the corresponding sections of the first layer to be adhesively secured to the work surface.

Abstract: In a masking technique used in painting processes, a flexible masking sheet is held in place and in shape by the tension on wires fixed to the sheet. The tension is generated by a tensioning device which acts as a ratchet allowing only increases in tension at room temperature and which loses ratcheting effect at higher temperatures. The tensioning device may employ a wax-actuated clutch which is rigid at room temperature but which gradually loses rigidity, thus slowly releasing tension, as temperature increases. Alternatively, the tensioning device may remain perfectly rigid until a higher temperature prevails. A workpiece can be masked and painted at room temperature and then cured and/or dried at a higher temperature, at which time the mask can be easily removed.

Abstract: An article decorating device, particularly for the decorating of eggs, having a formed, article receiving and cushioning surface, a slotted and formed or formable template receivable over the article to be decorated and a cover member arranged to be positioned over the article and template to positively hold the same in position with respect to one another and to the receiving surface during the decorating process. The template is selectively provided with apertures or slots therethrough to permit decorating devices such as pens to extend therethrough for contacting and applying decorating materials to the article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for masking from treatment selected surfaces of a turbine blade. The blade is positioned in an apparatus which includes a holder enclosing the airfoil section of the blade and a distinct spaced apart mask member elastically secured to the holder and having a deformable surface covering a surface of the blade spaced from the airfoil.

Abstract: There is disclosed a photomask material comprising a substrate, and at least one layer containing mixture of a metal oxide and a metal nitride or at least one metal nitride layer provided on the substrate, and the photomask material may comprise a substrate and a mask layer provided on the substrate, the mask layer consisting of a layer containing a lower metal oxide and/or a lower metal nitride, and a layer containing a mixture of a higher oxide and a higher nitride of the same metal or a higher metal nitride layer of the same metal.The photomask material of the present invention exhibits excellent resistance to the cleaning solutions and can be used repeatedly.

Abstract: A mount for handling and conveying optical material is disclosed. The mount includes an elastic band disposed around the circumference of the optical material and a hanger. The hanger includes an upper generally "T" shaped suspension portion and a lower engagement hook. The engagement hook slips between the elastic band and the surface of the optical material such that the material may be suspended and conveyed by the hanger. Where a thin edge plastic lens is to be conveyed which cannot support an elastic band disposed around its circumference, a small hole is provided near the edge of and through the lens. The engagement hook of the hanger is passed through the hole and the lens may then be conveyed by the hanger. An alternate embodiment is disclosed for use where only one side of a lens is to be coated.

Abstract: A floor seal strip for protecting areas of floor and doorways from the flow of floor care products. A fluid impermeable barrier element has a flat base, from which one side a barrier flange extends upward and in conjunction with a top flange forms a channel in which a fluid absorbtive, deformable sponge is carried with the sponge protruding out from the gap between the top flange and base. A fluid impermeable adhesive strip is attached to the back of the barrier flange, and extends outward from the barrier flange in a direction opposite to the base. In use the seal strip is placed in a doorway with the cushion abutting the bottom edge of the door, and with the adhesive strip adhering the seal strip to the floor.

Abstract: A protective device for protecting the viewing area of a vision panel from encroachment by flowable cement compositions used to bond reinforcing members to the edge portions of the viewing panel. The protective device is preferably formed of a material non-adherent to both the vision panel surface and the cement composition, and may include vacuum biasing facilities and an edge seal to provide a fluid barrier to the passage of the flowable cement compositions.

Abstract: The arbitrary contouring of thickness of a sputter-deposited film is made possible by a blocking means having a primary blocking shield and an ancillary blocking shield. The primary blocking shield intercepts atoms sputtered directly from the cathode target by line-of-sight transport. The ancillary blocking shield extends downwardly from the side of the primary blocking shield which is placed closest to the substrate. The ancillary blocking shield intercepts atoms sputtered from the cathode which by intervening gas collisions have been redirected to travel underneath the primary blocking shield. Precise tailoring of the thickness profile of the coating on the substrate is thereby provided and the quality of the composite film is maintained. The method for contouring the thickness of sputter coated layers comprises sputter coating portions of the film at successive stations. By employing the improved blocking shield at selected stations, the film in the aggregate may have the desired thickness contour.

Abstract: A paint guard for protecting frame windows or doors, includes a rectangular framework of four right annular frame members which are telescopically interconnected so as to permit the framework to expand and contract in height and width. Flanges at the periphery of the framework are provided for clamping the framework to the window frame upon contractin of the framework around the window frame. A biasing spring mechanism is provided for urging the framework to its contracted position. The central region of the framework is open. A flexible covering contained in rollers is utilized to cover the opening. Locks are provided to selectively lock certain frame members together for certain applications. A method of protecting a framed window or door during painting is also disclosed.

Abstract: A protective mask for protecting a portion of a surface area of a generally non-porous member wherein the portion of the area to be protected is substantially smooth. The mask encloses a housing having a back face and a plurality of enclosing side walls, suction means for attaching the mask to the member, and release means.

Abstract: A coating fixture for holding and masking workpieces during a parylene batch coating process. A rigid frame and two face plates form an enclosure. The face plates have a plurality of holes, and the workpieces are located within the enclosure, so that they are aligned with the holes. In preferred embodiments, a separator plate located within the enclosure divides it into two article-receiving compartments, and gaskets are provided for sealably engaging the face plates to the frame and to the workpieces in each compartment. Vaporous coating material enters the face plate holes and coats only portions of the workpieces.

Abstract: The paint shield comprises a thin rectangular sheet with a longitudinal crease extending in from one end terminating short of the opposite end. A transverse crease is provided which intercepts the longitudinal crease. The arrangement is such that a portion of the shield can be bent about the transverse crease to protect areas intersecting at an angle from paint, such as corner molding and the like. By flexing the shield about its longitudinal crease, the bent portion automatically snaps back into a coplanar relationship with the remaining portion of the sheet so that its maximum longitudinal length is again available for shielding while painting. Notches can be cut out from opposite ends dimensioned to snugly engage 2.times.4 inch rafters or 2.times.6 inch rafters to protect surrounding wall areas when painting the rafters.

Abstract: A paint mask and method for masking a work surface wherein the mask structure is comprised of a first mask layer and a second liner layer. One face of the first layer includes an adhesive coating with the second layer being adhesively secured thereto. A predetermined design configuration is defined in the mask structure by discontinuous cuts extending through both the first and second layers. Score cuts extending through the second layer in spaced apart generally coextensive relationships with the discontinuous cuts define band-like areas. Removal of these band-like areas exposes band areas of adhesive on the first layer which are used to adhesively secure the mask in a desired orientation on a work surface. The discontinuous cuts facilitate removal of that portion of the mask structure disposed on the other side thereof from the score cuts to be removed from covering association with the work surface.

Abstract: In accordance with the inventive method, a one-sided coated element, in particular a screen element, is provided with a bonding agent after being cleaned. Subsequently, form elements are inserted into the openings of the elements from the rear side thereof which completely fill the openings and extend therethrough. Thereafter, the coating is applied in a lesser thickness than the height of the protruding form elements. This assures that, with a comparably thick coating, openings of a predetermined geometry are created. For this purpose, a device is preferably used having bars which consist of adjacent, successive tapered , pyramid- or horizontal prism-like form elements. The form elements consist of an elastic material which taper into a sharp pointed edge. Thereby, the form elements may be easily installed and removed and the coating runs off the form elements during application, so that the openings are not covered up by the coating material.

Abstract: A paint guide includes a frame having a shield which terminates in a straight paint sealing edge that is spaced a predetermined distance from a window frame to provide a strip of weatherproofing paint on the window glass adjacent the frame when painting the frame. The shield is movably mounted by a pair of L-shaped brackets on a pair of supporting arms by cams. The cams are slidably mounted within slots formed in the arms to control the movement of the sealing edge. A compression coil spring extends between each of the brackets and associated arm and biases the bracket and shield upwardly from the window glass to move the sealing edge out of engagement with the glass. When downward pressure is applied to the frame, the paint sealing edge is moved vertically into engagement with the glass at a predetermined spaced distance outwardly from the window frame due to the sliding action of the cams within the arm slots. Continued pressure on the shield seals the paint edge tightly against the glass.

Abstract: A method of forming a flexible printed wiring board having a metal substrate includes the steps of etching through-holes in the metal substrate by means of an etch resistant ferro electric mask placed over the substrate and employing a viscous sealant such as polyethylene or polypropylene glycol between the mask and the substrate. The mask is held to the substrate with the sealant therebetween by means of a magnetic field. The substrate is then treated with a ferric chloride etch solution to etch away the desired through-holes in the metal substrate. Thereafter, the substrate may be coated with a polymeric coated by means of fluidized bed or electrostatic coating techniques as taught in the prior art.

Abstract: In a low reflection type photomask (hard mask) having a chromium masking film provided, through or without an intermediary low reflection layer, on a transparent substrate and further having a low reflection layer provided on the chromium layer, use is made of a composite layer containing chromium oxide and chromium nitride as the low reflection layer. The composite layer is substantially equal in etching speed to the chromium film, and the photomask obtained is free from image deterioration caused by protrusions such as visors, burrs, or fractures, as observed in the photomasks of the prior art using chromium oxide films, and also has excellent durability.

Abstract: A photomask (30) used to form patterns on a resist coated semiconductor wafer is comprised of a transparent baseplate (31) having a thin metallic pattern (32) thereon; a transparent, planar coverplate (33) in intimate contact with the patterned baseplate (31) and an index matching fluid (34) interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A shield for protecting the nap, or pile, at the edges of carpets or the like while painting adjacent surfaces of adjoining walls. The shield is formed of a substantially planar isosceles trapezoidal guard and platform, and a substantially planar rectangular runner. The guard and runner support the platform above the upper surface of the carpet. The angles between the sides and major base of the guard and the angle between the guard and the platform are chosen so that the pile of the carpet does not, as the shield slides over the carpet, spring back into contact with adjacent painted wall surfaces. The guard, platform and runner are preferably made of a single sheet of planar material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use in selectively vapor deposition coating the interior surface of a tubular article, the apparatus including a plurality of axially aligned spaced apart masks, the periphery of the masks being complimentary with the tubular article, and a vapor deposition coating means positioned between the masks for depositing a electrically conductive coating onto the unmasked area of the interior of the tubular article.

Abstract: Described is a masking tape adapted for use in defining a selected portion of a surface for refinish spray painting wherein the masking tape is applied to a peripheral portion of the selected surface portion with a lateral portion of the tape being angled upwardly from the surface to form an included angle within the range of approximately 15.degree. to approximately 45.degree., the masking tape comprising a backing formed from a selected material being creasable to facilitate formation and maintenance of the included angle, adhesive material being applied to one lateral portion on one side of the tape.

Abstract: A spray shield for use at both projecting corners and recessed corners, such as in a spray painting operation, comprises an angled sheet of rigid material having integral first and second legs. The sheet has a first free edge along the first and second legs for hugging a projecting corner. The sheet also has a second free edge along the first and second legs and opposite the first free edge for congruity with or projection into a recessed corner. The sheet is slanted throughout at least one of the legs to extend at an oblique angle two vicinal surfaces of hugged projecting and congruent recessed corners. The integral first and second legs of the spray shield preferably constitute two adjacent sides of a truncated right or oblique pyramid or prism having at least one of its sides extending at an oblique angle to its base.

Abstract: A door knob shield for use in painting a door; the tool is composed of an elongate handle having a skirt coaxially arranged and secured to one end of said handle; the skirt which has an open end is sized to be positioned over a door knob with the terminal end of the skirt positioned in abutting relation to a door with the skirt jacketing the door knob nested within the skirt so that the zone of the door about the door knob may be painted rapidly without masking tape to avoid the problem of partially painting the door knob base.

Abstract: A mask for protecting the edges of substrates being sputtered from the sputtering material includes grooves which loosely receive the substrates. The width of the grooves exceeds the width of the substrates by a first dimension and the depth of the grooves above the substrate exceeds the thickness of the substrates by a second dimension. The ratio of the first to the second dimension is at least 5.

Abstract: A spray coating apparatus is provided for rotating a workpiece relative to a spray station to obtain a uniform coating of the workpiece. In a typical example, the workpiece comprises a ceramic tile which is to be coated with a ceramic coating and the tile is to be used as a reusable component of the thermal protection system for a space shuttle. The apparatus for rotating the workpiece includes a base support having a first rotatable stage for rotation in the horizontal plane and a second rotatable stage for rotation in a second plane inclined at an angle, such as 45 degrees, to the horizontal plane and the workpiece is supported on this second stage. Thus the workpiece is rotatable in both of two planes of rotation. The workpiece support is detachable from the first rotatable stage and the workpiece is readily detachable from the workpiece support to facilitate off loading of the spray coated workpiece.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printed wiring board completely free from trouble of solder bridging. The printed wiring board of the present invention is provided with a raised portion of solder resist ink in the form of a ridge around the periphery of the land to be printed or at an area between adjacent lands to be soldered, the said raised portion being an extension of a solder resist thin layer coated on the insulator base board exclusive the said land.

Abstract: A screen support in the form of a segmental collar for use in a screen stenciling operation. The collar segments are movable into engagement with at least the transverse marginal edges of a glass substrate for accurately locating the same relative to an overlying screen and for providing support for the screen, and especially the perforated pattern formed therein, to maintain the same in a flat, horizontal plane during the stenciling operation.

Abstract: A paint shield for masking the edge of a carpet or of a floor. The paint shield is provided in the form of a roll of a flat strip of thin resilient plastic material which is preformed with a bent over longitudinal edge flange such as to be generally L-shape in section. The strip is rolled flat and springs back to shape when unrolled from the roll. Alternatively, the paint shield is supplied in the form of a rolled pre-scored flat strip, which, when unrolled, is manually shaped to form an edge flange along the score line.

Abstract: A roll of pretaped, laterally folded masking material is mounted on a dispenser which is attached to the legpiece of one of a pair of stilts worn by masking workers. When the stilts are secured to the feet and legs of a worker, the dispenser supports the roll generally vertically alongside the worker's body with the taped end of the roll facing upwardly and positioned approximately at the level of his shoulder. To mask the walls in a room, the worker unrolls the folded material and fastens the tape continuously along the tops of the walls around the perimeter of the room while moving along the walls. The unrolled material is then cut from the roll and the portion below the tape attached to the walls is unfolded downwardly to completely mask the walls. To subsequently mask the floor, the worker attaches the taped edge of another length of the material along one wall to the free edge of the material already taped to that wall.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00282 Sec. 371 Date Apr. 27, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Apr. 27, 1979 PCT Filed Apr. 27, 1979 PCT Pub. No. WO 80/02390 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 13, 1980A method of an apparatus for use in painting a wall surface (13) surrounding a panel (11). The method includes the step of providing a protector element (14) having a base portion (15) defining a periphery (24) at least as large as the periphery (18) of the panel (11). A second portion (17) of the protector element projects forwardly from the periphery of the base portion. A cover (21) is provided with a notch-type snap fastening portion cooperating with a complementary portion (19) of the protector element second portion (17) for removably securing the cover to the protector element so as to define therewith a shield for protecting the panel from overspray during the painting operation.

Abstract: A device for supporting and guiding a master sheet in relation to an item of artwork comprises a carrier in the form of a rectangular frame having means for locating a master sheet on the frame, an intermediate guide which cooperates with the carrier to restrain the carrier to reciprocate in its own plane relatively to the intermediate guide solely in a first direction, which is parallel to two sides of the carrier, and means for supporting the intermediate guide upon a drawing board while restraining the intermediate guide to reciprocate parallel to the plane of the carrier relatively to the drawing board solely in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A method of forming a film or fine line which is very thick in comparison with its width, by repeated printings with heterogeneous or homogeneous printing pastes by using a screen-printing mask. A screen-printing mask having spacing means formed thereon for spacing the screen apart from the work surface.

Abstract: Reusable clip-on paint shields for hinges and striker plates in door casings, intended to be applied over butt plates of door hinges and door striker plates to protect them from paint spray and the like while the door, door casing, or room are being painted.

Abstract: A method of quench hardening a gear having a gear rim, a hub, and two rim carrying gear disk includes carburizing the gear and quenching it subsequently in a saline bath, and is improved by releasably covering the perforated disks with perforated supplemental disks, the perforations are closed during carburization but open during quenching. The gear is turned about its vertically positioned axis during quenching; the supplemental disks are removed subsequently so that the gear disks are not carburized.

Abstract: The invention is a disposable, easily-removable masking cap for pavement-mounted highway reflectors to permit the taring or other re-surfacing of the roadway while protecting the reflectors so that they need not be graded off prior to resurfacing.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing an edge region of a plate formed of a porous material by means of a reinforcement agent wherein the plate is immersed in a bath containing a reinforcement agent. Air contained in the plate is withdrawn at least from one plate surface. Both plate surfaces prior to the immersion of the plate in the bath are covered so as to be protected against contact by the reinforcement agent.

Abstract: A thin walled cylinder open at both ends and having an outwardly extending flange at its lower end provides a shield useful for making pizzas. When the shield is placed on a sheet of pizza dough, its cylindrical wall surrounds the area of application of pizza topping ingredients and the flange provides a clean border around the edge of the finished pizza.

Abstract: An improved process plug for use during immersion soldering of aluminum heat exchanger coils, such as an air conditioner evaporator. The plug allows the solder to flow into an open bell or female socket of a suction header tube to "pretin" the internal finish of the bell or tube joint while preventing the solder bath from entering the coil. The process plug is designed to achieve a "short" or reduced area joint so that the plug can be readily removed by heating. The suction header tube joint is completed by hand soldering of a precoated male copper transition tube.

Abstract: A display device includes a layer of electroluminescent material which is capable of conducting electric current. The electroluminescent material is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes to which a voltage is to be applied to excite the electroluminescent material to luminescence. The display device is manufactured by disposing on an assembly comprising a substrate with one of the said electrodes thereon, two masks in which are formed aligned apertures defining a region in which the electroluminescent material is to be provided. The electroluminescent material is disposed in the apertures, and, after that material has solidified one of the masks is removed, the other of the electrodes then being formed on the exposed surface of the electroluminescent material and within slots in the remaining mask and the mask is removed.

Abstract: An electrically conductive rack or frame for transporting and supporting workpieces to be coated, and wherein the workpieces are in electrical contact with and supported on readily removable hooks that are electrically connected to and supported on the frame of the rack. The workpiece-supporting hooks are detachably engaged in struck-out, die-stamped sockets formed in the rack. The rack is also provided with die-stamped locking projections which prevent the hooks from becoming accidentally disengaged from the rack. A removable cover further safeguards the electrical connection between the hooks and the rack and prevents an undesired accumulation of coating material on the interconnecting portions of the hooks and rack.

Abstract: A device is described for masking the gold connector tabs located along the edges of printed circuit boards to prevent the connectors from becoming solder coated during wave solder operations. The device is comprised of a pair of angle sections coupled to each other by tensioning means. The sections are easily applied to the circuit board assembly without scratching the gold contacts. Moreover, they provide stiffness to the board and a dam to prevent solder from flowing over the board and damaging the electrical components mounted thereon during wave soldering. The device is easily removable from the circuit boards after soldering and is reusable. Finally, the device of the present invention is characterized by long life, reasonable cost and ease of use.

Abstract: An improved method for masking a portion of a surface in preparation for painting a surface. The method utilizes the step of adhering a strip of masking tape which is fully coated on one surface and the other surface of which is partly coated and partly uncoated with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The masking tape is first placed with the fully coated surface against the edge of the surface to be masked and with the uncoated outer surface position in the direction of the surface to be painted. A conventional paper and adhesive covering sheet is then affixed to the aforementioned masking tape to complete the masking operation.

Abstract: A mask for painting designs on a surface includes a lower stratum constituting a multi-piece stencil and an upper stratum superimposed on the lower stratum for maintaining the stencil pieces in fixed relationship. The lower stratum has a pressure sensitive adhesive on a bottom surface for holding the mask to the surface to be painted. The upper stratum has a pressure sensitive adhesive on a bottom surface which lightly sticks to a release coating on the upper surface of the lower stratum. After the mask is applied to the surface to be painted with the lower stratum adhering thereto, the upper stratum is peeled to expose the multipiece stencil.

Abstract: A method of forming thin films wherein a film is formed through glow discharge such as ion plating or sputtering by using a mask whose surface in contact with the surface of the substrate on which the film is formed is provided with a thermostable elastic member, whereby the film, for use in multi-layer metallization, can be formed with high dimensional precision and intimacy.

Abstract: To minimize the deposition of materials in portions of a microcircuit structure beyond those intended to be deposited upon through openings in a mask, a special mask holding arrangement is used. This arrangement can be used with several deposition methods which include sputtering and evaporation as well as supplementing these with plating techniques.

Abstract: An elongated trough has a vertical wall element along the longitudinal axis thereof. A plurality of tapered tabs extend upwardly from the uppermost edge of the vertical wall for use as locating and retaining devices to position the stain and coating material collecting trough against a vertical surface below the horizontal lowermost edge of a flight of shingles or other wall covering materials. The tabs have holes to support the apparatus utilizing nails passing therethrough. A plurality of downwardly turned hook elements whose uppermost portions extend above the uppermost edge of the vertical wall element, may be used in conjunction with nails to also provide a mounting means for the trough which is semi-flexible in nature and adapted with a pair of caps on each end. One or more ledge traps divide the troughs into compartments so as to provide support to the frontmost surfaces of the trough and to prevent collected materials from being spread along the entire length of the inside surface of the trough.

Abstract: A protective cover intended to be applied over butt plates of door hinges to protect them from paint spray and the like while the door or door jamb are being painted, the covers consisting of a flat sheet of material having an even coating of pressure sensitive adhesive applied completely over the back surface thereof and with there being a thin sheet of protective film backing applied over the pressure sensitive adhesive to protect the same until the cover is to be used.