Abstract: A tray conveyor comprising ice-coated magnetic trays driven by a linear-motor stator along a rail track. The ice coating is applied to the trays to provide a product-bearing ice surface. After the product is processed and transferred off the tray, the top layer of the contaminated ice coating is removed and the tray with the remaining ice coating reused.

Abstract: A vibratory tumbler. The vibratory tumbler includes a bowl having one or more engagement hooks and a latching hook; a base; and a connection platform coupled to the base and removably coupled to the bowl. The connection platform further comprises a vibration source; one or more openings capable of engaging the one or more engagement hooks; and a locking mechanism capable of engaging the latching hook. The locking mechanism can further comprise a latching opening capable of receiving the latching hook; a spring clip substantially within the latching opening and capable of engaging the latching hook; and a locking lever rotatably coupled to the spring clip whereby the spring clip engages the latching hook when the locking lever is in a locked position and releases the latching hook when the locking lever is in an unlocked position.

Abstract: Devices and methods for handling and depositing corneal implants onto corneal tissue. Devices and methods for packaging and storing corneal implants.

Abstract: A vibratory screener apparatus has a housing with upper and lower ends, the lower end having a first mounting area characterized by a first attachment diameter. A drive assembly is employed to vibrate the apparatus. The drive assembly has a second mounting area characterized by a second attachment diameter to mount the frame to the drive assembly. An adapter frame is disposed between the drive assembly and the lower end of the housing. The adapter frame has a first end and a second end, the first end is characterized by the first attachment diameter and is attached to the lower end of the housing. The second end is characterized by the second attachment diameter and attached is to the drive assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of performing film deposition. The methods may include volumetrically isolating a first process station from a second process station by flowing a curtain gas between them, and igniting first and second plasmas supported by first and second plasma feed gases, while flowing the curtain gas, to cause film deposition at the first and second process stations. The curtain gas and the first and second plasma feed gases may each include a high-breakdown voltage species that may be molecular oxygen. The high-breakdown voltage species may have a breakdown voltage of at least about 250 V for a pressure-distance (pd) value of 3.4 Torr-cm. The curtain gas may have a higher concentration of the high-breakdown voltage species than the first and second plasma feed gases. The high-breakdown voltage species may make up about 5-50% of the curtain gas by mole fraction. The high-breakdown voltage species may be molecular oxygen.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning substrates on a carrier, which has in the interior thereof a plurality of longitudinal passages, which run parallel to one another and are connected to the outside at the underside of the carrier via openings. There is provided a plurality of elongated pipes, which are arranged on a pipe holder and are connected in a fluid-conducting manner to a fluid supply. A centering template is provided, which encompasses the pipes and is displaceable in the longitudinal direction thereof between an attachment position in the end region of the pipes away from the pipe holder and a working position, which lies between the attachment position and the pipe holder. The centering template bears against the carrier, such that the pipes are then aligned exactly with the longitudinal passages.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning substrates on a carrier, which has in the interior thereof a plurality of longitudinal passages, which run parallel to one another and are connected to the outside at the underside of the carrier via openings. There is provided a plurality of elongated pipes, which are arranged on a pipe holder and are connected in a fluid-conducting manner to a fluid supply. A centring template is provided, which encompasses the pipes and is displaceable in the longitudinal direction thereof between an attachment position in the end region of the pipes away from the pipe holder and a working position, which lies between the attachment position and the pipe holder. The centring template bears against the carrier, such that the pipes are then aligned exactly with the longitudinal passages.

Abstract: Included are a first unit including a DAC which generates a comparison signal serving as an object of comparison with the first analog signal, taking in and retaining the first analog signal, a second unit including a DAC which generates a comparison signal serving as an object of comparison with the first analog signal, taking in and retaining the second analog signal, a first switch connecting the first unit to an output side of the second unit, a comparator comparing a differential value between the first analog signal and the second analog signal with a differential value between the comparison signal of the first DAC and an output signal of the second DAC, and an electric potential control circuit controlling fluctuations in electric potentials of the first analog terminal and the second analog terminal.

Abstract: A method for cleaning optics in a chamber. The method can include introducing a first etchant into a chamber that encloses an optical component and a source of electromagnetic radiation that is suitable for lithography, ionizing the first etchant, and removing debris from a surface of the optical component.

Abstract: A device for cleaning cart wheels utilizing a trough of liquid which is intended for contacting the cart wheels. The trough includes a bottom portion supported on a ground surface and an upwardly extending side portion terminating in an edge. A floating platform is locatable in the trough and includes a multiplicity of openings through the same. The platform is capable of contacting a cart wheel and in certain cases buoying the cart itself. A first ramp member leads from the ground surface to the edge of the trough while a second ramp member leads from the trough edge and into contact with the floating platform.

Abstract: A painting truck washing system includes a painting truck, a washing robot with a spray nozzle, and a turntable unit disposed in a washing booth. The painting truck supported an automobile body during painting of the automobile body. The washing robot cooperates with a selector for selectively spraying compressed water or air to the printing truck from which the automobile body is released. The turntable unit turns the painting truck through 180.degree. after one side surface of the painting truck which opposes the washing robot is washed, thereby washing the other side surface of the painting truck.

Abstract: A workpiece carrier for holding workpieces through a plurality of liquid immersion stations including, a framework structure defining an interior space, a self-contained tiltable basket module having article compartments defined therein disposed within the interior space of the frame, a pivot member connecting the basket to the frame at a point offset from the central depth of the basket to cause the basket to normally tilt towards its front, a buoyant tank connected to the basket on the side remote from the a pivot member to tilt the basket towards its rear when the workpiece carrier is immersed in a liquid solution, effectively dissipating any air or gas pockets which might have formed in the hollow areas of the workpiece being treated.

Abstract: A metal strip is supported under static gas pressure by using an apparatus which comprises a pair of gas pressure pads facing each other and located symmetrically about a predetermined moving path of the metal strip, each gas pressure pad having an opening through which a gas is ejected toward the moving path of the metal strip, and means for supplying a gas under pressure to each of the gas pressure pads, each opening being in the form of a closed channel which is composed of a pair of lateral slits, each lateral slit extending in the lateral direction of the moving path of the metal strip, and two or more pairs of longitudinal slits, each longitudinal slit extending in an inclined direction to the longitudinal direction of the moving path, and connecting therethrough to each of the lateral slits, the opening being formed symmetrically about a longitudinal center line of the front surface of the gas pressure pad, drawn parallel to the longitudinal axis of the moving path.

Abstract: A filter-cleaning apparatus comprises a hollow, elongate body provided with cleaning fluid inlet and exit means at respective ends thereof. The cleaning fluid inlet means comprises an annulus which extends peripherally around one end of the hollow body and which defines together with the outer wall of the hollow body a space for receiving cleansing fluid from a source of such fluid. The interior of the hollow body communicates with the space defined by the annulus through a series if holes formed in that part of the wall of the body located within the confines of the space. When cleaning a filter, the filter is inserted into the hollow body through the inlet means herefore and the source of cleaning fluid activated. The filter is then moved axially in the hollow body, past the series of holes, until all the filter has been cleaned. A closure means is provided at the cleaning fluid inlet, to prevent the escape of cleaning fluid during operation.

Abstract: A rotatable fastener for holding a workpiece includes a plurality of arm members each pivotally coupled to at least two others of the arm members for scissoring movement, at least two grips situated at extremities of the arm members, and at least one tension spring coupled to the arm members for biasing the grips inwardly towards each other, thereby forcing the grips to engage the workpiece and hold same. The arm members are pivotally mounted to a rotating hub having drive posts for rotating the arm members and the grips include fingers extending angularly from a base portion thereof for receiving workpieces of various shapes, sizes, and thicknesses.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for containing, washing, rinsing and drying presorted flatware by category, after which the flatware is automatically discharged from the apparatus by category into separate receiving receptacles. Alternate types of conveyors, containers and methods of discharging flatware from containers are included, and certain embodiments provide simultaneous washing of other tableware within the same apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing contaminated laboratory containers such as test tubes, flasks and the like. A tube, one end of which is connected to a source of negative pressure and the other end of which is inserted into a contaminated container, has a length sufficient to reach the bottom of the container to remove by aspiration material therein. A pump is connected to a source of washing material and, when actuated, delivers washing material into the container. Actuation of the pump interrupts aspiration during delivery of washing material. The washing material thus delivered to the container and contaminants are withdrawn by aspiration from the container after the pump is deactuated.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for washing vegetables, fruits and the like foodstuffs. It is formed of a vessel and a basket, within the vessel, for containing the foodstuffs. The basket is mounted in the vessel for rotation about the vertical axis of the latter and a flexible band is fixed, at one end, to the rotation bearing of the basket and extends outside the vessel to cause rotation, when pulled, of the foodstuffs containing basket. The vessel has a cover which is formed with a chamber apertured at the bottom and the basket has a disc at the top with a series of holes registering, during rotation, with the apertured bottom of the chamber so that water poured in the chamber may flow into the basket through such holes during rotation of the said basket.