A method for enhancing the production of aquatic organisms under cultivation, including the steps of exposing the aquatic organisms to a submerged illumination source inside water of a rearing unit; and maintaining illumination in the rearing unit for a rearing period.

The use of illumination to manipulate the environmental light of a variety of animals has been reported. In particular, manipulating an organism's environment by altering its natural exposure to light has been practiced for land animals to affect desirable changes in those animals. Typically changes of the natural photoperiod for land animals have involved placing sources of illumination such as electrical lights in the organisms rearing environment, for example for rearing chicken in closed farm houses.
For commercial shrimp production, it has been reported that superior survival rates have been produced for high density production by using bottom diffused aeration. In the publication entitled "Bio-floc shrimp system yields high density production, low FCR's and superior survival rates using bottom diffused aeration and patented probiotics," Charles "Sandy" Harris, Fish Farming News, pages 22-27, Issue 1, 2011, air-diffusing tubing has been installed on the bottom of artificial shrimp production ponds, and combined with other factors related to the operation of the shrimp production ponds, production yields could be increased.
Artificial light manipulation for rearing Crustaceans has typically involved using above-water illumination. As discussed in the publication entitled "Effects of different light sources and illumination methods on growth and body color of shrimp," Kui You et al., Aquaculture, volume 252, pages 557-565, 2006, different light sources of above-water illumination have been tested to examine the growth of shrimp during a 50-day experimental period, by using relatively small aquaria and having lighting installed about 60 cm to 80 cm above the aquaria. Similarly, in the publication that is entitled "The effect of light color on the growth of Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis," Wang et al., Aquaculture, volume 228 (1), pages 351-360, December 2003, it was proposed to use artificial illumination that was located above the water.
Despite all the above described advancements in the fields of rearing aquatic organisms, there is still a strong need for methods and systems for enhancing growth and survivability of these organisms.

Method and system for enhancing growth and survivability of aquatic organisms


The invention provides a lithium ion secondary battery which exhibits excellent output characteristics and in which decline in the power characteristics is suppressed for a long period of time even after charge-discharge cycling. The lithium ion secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution. The positive electrode has a maximum achievable potential of 4.5 V or more versus metallic lithium. The nonaqueous electrolyte solution includes (A) a nonfluorinated cyclic carbonate, (B) a fluorinated cyclic carbonate, and (C) a fluorinated acyclic carbonate. The nonfluorinated cyclic carbonate (A) accounts for more than 10% by volume of (A), (B) and (C) combined.

Secondary batteries such as lithium secondary batteries and nickel-hydrogen batteries are used as on-board power sources in electricity-powered vehicles, or as power sources installed in personal computers, handheld devices and other electrical products. In particular, nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, typically lithium secondary batteries that are lightweight and able to achieve a high energy density, are suitable as high-output power sources for on-board use in vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. Attempts have been made to optimize the compositions of, e.g., the positive and negative electrode active materials and the nonaqueous electrolyte solution in order to achieve the desired power generating characteristics in such nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries (see Patent Literature 1 and 2). In addition, the use of a positive electrode active material having a working potential higher than 4.3 V versus metallic lithium has been proposed as a way of further enhancing the high-energy density characteristics in nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries.

Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery


Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a chip scale package (CSP) for a light-emitting diode (LED). The method may include a light-emitting device mounting step for mounting a plurality of light-emitting devices on a substrate strip, a phosphor forming step for forming a phosphor on the plurality of light-emitting devices, a reflective member forming step for forming a reflective member on the substrate strip to surround the phosphor, and a package singulation step for singulating unit packages by cutting the substrate strip and the reflective member.

1. Field
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing light-emitting device packages, a light-emitting device package strip, and a light-emitting device package and, more particularly, to a method for manufacturing light-emitting device packages usable in a display apparatus or a lighting apparatus, a light-emitting device package strip, and a light-emitting device package.
2. Description of the Related Art
A light-emitting diode (LED) refers a type of semiconductor element capable of displaying light of various colors by providing a light-emitting source using a PN diode of a compound semiconductor. The LED has a long life, a small size, and a small weight, and can be driven using a low voltage. In addition, the LED is durable against impact and vibration, does not require preheating or complicated driving, and is mountable on a substrate or a lead frame in various forms before packaging. As such, the LED may be modularized for various purposes.
In general, a method for manufacturing a light-emitting device package includes mounting a light-emitting device on a lead frame, forming a reflective member, and then forming an optical conversion member on the light-emitting device.
However, according to the above conventional light-emitting device package manufacturing method, since light-emitting devices are separately mounted on substrates and a reflective member and an optical conversion member are formed on each of the light-emitting devices, a lot of time and cost are required for a packaging process, the price of products are increased, and thus productivity is reduced. As such, the manufactured light-emitting device packages have a relatively large size or thickness and thus small and thin products cannot be manufactured.
Furthermore, according to the conventional light-emitting device package manufacturing method, since optical members are separately provided on light-emitting devices, a performance difference occurs among the manufactured light-emitting device packages.
In addition, according to the conventional light-emitting device package manufacturing method, a substrate strip is deformed during the light-emitting device packages are manufactured.

Method for manufacturing light-emitting device packages, light-emitting device package strip, and light-emitting device package


Apparatus for producing ultraviolet radiation, particularly a quick-tanning or therapeutic sunlamp, has a source of substantially uniform ultraviolet radiation, including at least two closely adjacent tubular low-pressure mercury lamps; an arrangement for intercepting at least the major percentage of wavelength bands of ultraviolet radiation below approximately 300 mm; and a reflector system cooperating with said source and defining at least one opening for the escape of ultraviolet radiation consisting essentially of the remaining wavelength band of ultraviolet radiation, said reflector system including for each of said lamps a trough-shaped reflector surrounding the lamp along an arc, and at least one intermediate portion between adjacent ones of said lamps and two lateral portions having zones which project forwardly of said intermediate portion and have forward edge portions defining said opening, the space between said lateral portions and forwardly of said intermediate portion being substantially unobstructed, and the source and reflector system cooperating to establish in the vicinity of the opening a high-density radiation field, the heat output of said lamps being sufficiently low so that the temperature in the region of said radiation field is below the range of discomfort of a person exposed to the field. The apparatus may include a mirror flanked by the lamps so that a user can enjoy the benefits of the ultraviolet radiation at no additional expenditure of time while looking into the mirror for other purposes.

The present invention relates to radiation apparatus in general, and more particularly, to apparatus for producing radiation predominantly in the ultraviolet range of the spectrum. Specifically, the invention relates to apparatus for producing ultraviolet radiation for medical or theraputic applications such as treatment of psoriasis, and/or for cosmetic applications such as quick tanning or portions of the human body.
An apparatus of this general type is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,113, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. In that apparatus a series of at least five (and as many as twenty) low-pressure mercury lamps of rod-shaped configuration is arranged in parallel, with each lamp being located in a trough-shaped reflector. The apparatus produces at its outlet a substantially uniform high-density ultraviolet radiation field. A filter intercepts at least the major percentage of the ultraviolet radiation bands below approximately 315 nm (in the so-called UVC range of 200 to 280 nm and UVB range of 280 to 315 nm), so that the field coming in contact with the body of a user consists essentially of the remaining waveband length of ultraviolet radiation, that is, in the UVA range of 315 to 400 nm and at most in a bordering portion of the UVB range.
This apparatus has been found to be highly efficacious for administering treatments to the human body without causing discomfort and burning, e.g., during quick tanning of the skin. A special advantage of this apparatus over any other prior-art apparatus emitting radiation in a wider portion of the ultraviolet range of the spectrum is that a person to be irradiated can assume a position at or in close proximity of the outlet of the apparatus. This is possible because the lamps of the above-mentioned type produce only a minimum amount of heat which is quickly and easily dissipated into the ambient atmosphere, and because the UVB radiation, which could cause a sunburn, is largely absent from the radiation reaching the person being irradiated. As a result of this, relatively large doses of UVA radiation can be applied to selected parts of the body of the user of this apparatus, and relatively short periods of time are required for achieving a pronounced suntan.
However, its use is practical only for the treatment of large parts of the human body, for example the front or the back of a person. In many instances it is merely necessary to treat smaller parts of the body, e.g., the face or an arm, either to effect tanning or for medical purposes (e.g. to treat psoriasis, acne and other skin irregularities or diseases). In the latter instance, the prior-art apparatus is less than fully effective, particularly since the filter largely intercepts radiation within the 300 to 315 nm portion of the UVB range, which is most effective for these purposes. The conventional apparatus is also too large and expensive for such limited applications, since much of the radiation emitted by it will be wasted when only a small body part is to be treated. Also, if the body part to be treated is strongly rounded--as is the case with e.g., the face (including the cheeks and ears) and arms and legs--, the prior art apparatus generally can be successfully used only if the user is resigned to undergoing repeated treatments in each of which the body part is made to assume a different orientation with respect to the emitted radiation field. Furthermore, the apparatus is absolutely useless unless somebody sets aside the required period of time, however short, and utilizes this period for subjecting his or her body to the radiation emitted by this apparatus in its energized condition. In many instances, this conventional apparatus stands idle for days or even weeks, or is being used by only some but not by other prospective users, simply because all or the other of the prospective users do not find, or do not devote, for reasons of inconvenience or preoccupation with other affairs, the time to the use of this apparatus. This, of course, is very disadvantageous, particularly since this apparatus constitutes a substantial investment which is lost if the apparatus is not being used for its intended purpose, and since the appearance (skin color) or general health (because of the beneficial or therapeutic effect of the ultraviolet radiation) of the prospective user are not improved if he or she does not use this apparatus.


A semiconductor device having at least one fuse and an alignment mark formed therein. An etch resistant layer over the surface of the fuse and alignment mark, which provides a uniform passivation thickness for use in conjunction with laser fuse deletion processes.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to integrated circuits having fuse elements, and more particularly, to a laser fuse deletion process.
2. Related Art
Fuses formed within integrated circuits serve several functions. For example, fuses may be formed within a circuit to provide redundancy. In other words, particular fuses may be deleted or opened to re-route circuitry along alternate pathways in the event of a failure. Alternatively, fuses may be selectively deleted to form a matrix of opens and shorts unique to that circuit which may easily be recognized by an electrical computer identification system.
Laser fusing processes are typically used to delete specific fuses. During a laser fuse deletion process the fuse structure, including the size, shape and material of the fuse itself, as well as the type and thickness of the material covering the fuse, are of critical importance to the quality of the fuse deletion. Accordingly, it is desirable to optimize any or all of these parameters to enhance the success of the fuse deletion process.

International Business Machines Corporation


A device such as a radiotelephone having a housing within which is located a single printed circuit board and a headset socket 30 including a body and spring contacts 38 which are held in operative contact with the circuit board by retaining means comprising co-operating parts 22, 23, 44 of the housing and the body of the socket.

The present invention relates generally to a device, and more specifically, to the way in which a headset socket is mounted within a device, such as a radiotelephone.
Devices, such as for example cellular telephones, are sometimes equipped with headsets which provide the user of the telephone with added privacy when using the telephone. The headsets include a jack or plug which is removably inserted into a socket in the telephone.
It is common practice in the art to construct a cellular telephone using two circuit boards, a first rigid circuit board bearing the main engine of the telephone and a second flexible circuit board bearing miscellaneous other components, normally including, among others, the speaker, microphone, the display and, notably, in the context of the present invention the headset socket.
The market is placing increasing demand on cellular telephone designers to reduce the physical volume of cellular telephones. One approach to physical volume reduction is to do without the second flexible circuit board.
With this in mind, the present invention provides a device having a housing within which is located a single printed circuit board and a headset socket including a body and spring contacts which are held in operative contact with the circuit board by retaining means comprising co-operating parts of the housing and the body of the socket.
By virtue of these features, the headset socket is mounted in operative contact with the single printed circuit board in a way which is reliable despite the direct forces to which it is subjected by the user during insertion and removal of the plug.


Bales of condensed relatively dry tobacco particles are broken up by subdividing each bale into slabs which are thereupon mechanically fragmentized, heated and moisturized with steam or steam and hot water, shredded while still heated, and thereupon subjected to one or more additional treatments. The bales are subdivided into slabs by cutting them transversely of the layers of compressed tobacco particles therein, and the heating and moisturizing steps can be carried out in a drum or in a closed tunnel of a vibratory conveyor.

The invention relates to the treatment of tobacco in general, and more particularly to improvements in methods of and in apparatus for breaking up bales of condensed or compacted tobacco, especially relatively dry tobacco.
As used herein, the term "tobacco" is intended to denote natural, reconstituted and artificial tobacco including tobacco leaves, tobacco leaf laminae (tobacco leaves without ribs), tobacco ribs, parts of tobacco leaves, laminae and ribs, tobacco foils and/or other smokable materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,948 to Beard et al. and published European patent application No. 0 159 836 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,676) propose to subdivide bales, which contain tobacco leaves or portions of tobacco leaves, into slices by cutting the bales in planes extending in parallelism with the layers of tobacco particles in the bales. Thus, the dimensions of the thus obtained slices match the dimensions of the respective bales with the sole exception of their thickness, i.e., the combined thickness of the slices which are obtained as a result of subdivision of a bale matches the thickness of the original bale. The thus obtained slices are thereupon introduced into loosening drums of the type disclosed, for example, in published European patent application No. 0 101 271 to be moisturized and, if necessary, heated in order to effect a loosening of the bonds between neighboring particles preparatory to further processing.

Method of and apparatus for breaking up bales of condensed tobacco


A electroless plating-susceptive fire retardant polyphenylene ether resin comprising a polyphenylene ether resin; a rubber-modified resin comprising a grafted rubber phase comprising an elastomeric rubber having grafted thereto, in a specific grafting degree, a graft component composed of acrylonitrile units and vinyl aromatic compound units and a resin phase of a polymer or polymer mixture comprising acrylonitrile units and vinyl aromatic compound units; and optionally, a polystyrene resin in specific proportions; and also comprising red phosphorus and a phosphoric acid ester in specific amounts. The graft component and the resin phase have specific contents of acrylonitrile units and the amount of all the acrylonitrile units in rubber-modified resin and the amount of the elastomeric rubber are within specific ranges. The composition has not only excellent susceptibility to electroless plating but also excellent fire retardance, impact resistance and heat resistance. A shaped fire retardant resin article having thereon a plating formed by electroless plating can readily be obtained from the composition of the present invention.

1. Field Of The Invention
The present invention relates to an electroless plating-susceptive, fire retardant polyphenylene ether composition. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with an electroless plating-susceptive, fire retardant polyphenylene ether composition comprising a polyphenylene ether resin; a rubber-modified resin comprising a grafted rubber phase comprising an elastomeric rubber having grafted thereto, in a specific grafting degree, a graft component composed of acrylonitrile units and vinyl aromatic compound units, and a resin phase of a polymer or polymer mixture comprising acrylonitrile units and vinyl aromatic compound units; and, optionally, a polystyrene resin in specific proportions; and also comprising red phosphorus and a phosphoric acid ester in specific amounts. The graft component and the resin phase each have a specific content of acrylonitrile units, and the amount of all the acrylonitrile units in the rubber-modified resin and the amount of the elastomeric rubber are within specific ranges. The composition of the present invention has not only excellent fire retardance but also excellent susceptibility to electroless plating. For example, a plating can readily be formed on a shaped article of the composition by electroless plating, particularly by a simple method comprising the steps of degreasing and etching the shaped article, applying a catalyst on the article, and activating the catalyst, followed by electroless plating. Therefore, a shaped, fire retardant resin article having thereon a plating formed by electroless plating can readily be obtained from the composition of the present invention.
2. Discussion Of Related Art
In recent years, electronic equipment has been improved according to the marked advance of electronics. In this connection, it is noted that so-called electromagnetic wave interference, such as incorrect operation of an electronic equipment and noise generation from a receiver due to high-frequency electromagnetic waves generated from electronic parts of other electronic equipment, has become a great problem. In this situation, regulations in the U.S.A. and West Germany and self-regulation in Japan have been promulgated with respect to the shielding of the high frequency electromagnetic wave interference, etc. The regulations have been becoming more and more severe.
On the other hand, use of resins for housings of electronic equipment has been increasing with the advance in electronics. Since a conventional resin made housing for electronic equipment is not electrically conductive, it does not have a shielding effect against electromagnetic waves. Due to the increased use of resin-made housings for electronic equipment, occurrence of electromagnetic wave interference has been increased. On the other hand, most electronic equipment has electrically active parts, the housings for such electronic equipment are required to have fire retardance. Further, the housings for electronic equipment are required to have impact resistance and heat resistance.
As a material having fire retardance, a composition comprising a polyphenylene ether resin (hereinafter often referred to as "PPE resin") and a polystyrene resin (hereinafter often referred to as "PS resin") is known. Since a composition comprising PPE resin and PS resin has not only excellent mechanical properties, thermal properties and electrical properties but also low specific gravity and low moisture absorption properties, it is frequently used as a material for housings of electronic equipment. However, the composition per se is not electrically conductive and, therefore, the composition does not have a shielding effect against electromagnetic waves.
In order to impart an electromagnetic wave-shielding property to a housing made of a resin, it has been proposed to incorporate an electrically conductive filler into a resin, or to subject a housing made of a resin to a surface treatment for imparting electrical conductivity to the housing, for example, treatment by the coating, vacuum deposition or sputtering of an electrically conductive material; metal spraying, or plating by, for example, electroless plating. Of these proposals, electroless plating is the most advantageous from the viewpoints of effectiveness and reliability in shielding effect. However, it is noted that only a terpolymer of acrylonitrile (hereinafter often referred to as "AN"), butadiene and styrene (hereinafter often referred to as "ABS resin") is known as a resin having good susceptibility to electroless plating. Resins other than ABS resin have poor susceptibility to electroless plating. Therefore, with respect to resins other than ABS resin, for imparting good susceptibility to electroless plating, it is necessary to incorporate an inorganic filler into the resin, to subject a shaped resin article to surface treatment, such as pre-etching treatment, post-etching treatment and neutralization, in the process of plating, or to anneal a shaped resin article to improve adhesion for plating. These techniques disadvantageously lead to a lowering of the properties of the resin per se, an increase in cost or the like. Further, for providing an ABS resin having improved fire retardance, it has been proposed to incorporate a halide (as fire retardant) into an ABS resin to obtain a fire retardant ABS resin (hereinafter often referred to as "FRABS resin"). However, an FRABS resin has drawbacks in that it has a low heat distortion temperature and in that not only corrosion of a metal mold but also deterioration of a catalyst used for plating is caused due to the halide incorporated.
In these situations, various attempts have been made with respect to a composition comprising a PPE resin and an ABS resin in order to develop a new resin composition having not only excellent susceptibility to electroless plating but also excellent fire retardance.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,383,435 discloses a composition comprising an ABS resin and poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)ether. In the example described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,383,435, compositions are prepared from a polyphenylene ether resin and an ABS resin comprising 16% of acrylonitrile units, 41% of styrene units, and 43% of butadiene units. However, as is apparent from the comparative data described in the example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,383,435, as between the properties of these compositions and those of a composition comprising a polyphenylene ether and a polystyrene or a composition comprising a polyphenylene ether and a high impact polystyrene, the compositions comprising an ABS resin and a polyphenylene ether are too brittle to be of practical use. This is attributable to a poor compatibility between an ABS resin and a polyphenylene ether.
In general, when a resin containing a large amount of a rubber component having double bonds, which is represented by, for example, an ABS resin, is intended to be rendered fire retardant by incorporating therein a phosphorus compound, such as a phosphoric acid ester, the phosphorus compound needs to be added in a large amount, leading to a lowering of the heat resistance of the resultant fire retardant composition.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,663,654 discloses a resin composition comprising a PPE resin and an ABS resin (as one example of a PS resin), which has been rendered fire retardant by incorporating therein red phosphorus. However, as apparent from Example 5 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,663,654, the ABS resin used, i.e., Blendex 401 (produced and sold by Marbon Chemical Co., U.S.A.) is a conventional ABS resin and, hence, the composition should be such that the compatibility between the PPE resin and the ABS resin is not improved. Further, when the fire retardance of the composition of this U.S. patent is examined with respect to a sample having a 3.2 mm thickness, the composition has flammability and glowing characteristics as high as that represented by Class V-1 in accordance with a UL-94 standard which will be explained later. Therefore, the composition cannot be used as a material for housings for electronic equipment.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,380 discloses a composition comprising a PPE resin and a specific ABS resin. However, it is noted that this composition was developed to improve solvent resistance and colorability of a resin composition, and no teaching or suggestion is made with respect to a composition having not only excellent susceptibility to electroless plating and good adhesion of a plating formed on a shaped article made of the composition, but also excellent fire retardance, impact resistance and heat resistance.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. 61-126168 discloses a shaped resin article having thereon a plating formed by electroless plating. The resin article is made of a fire retardant composition comprising a PPE resin, an ABS resin, a fire retardant, such as an aromatic phosphoric acid ester, red phosphorus, an organic halide or antimony trioxide. However, in this reference, there is neither a description nor an example providing data with respect to the influence of the use of the fire retardant on the susceptibility to electroless plating and on the fire retardance of the shaped article. No teaching or suggestion is made with respect to a composition having not only excellent susceptibility to electroless plating and good adhesion of a plating formed on a shaped article made of the composition, but also excellent fire retardance, impact resistance and heat resistance.
As described above, conventional compositions comprising a PPE resin and an ABS resin do not simultaneously exhibit all of the desired properties for resin materials to be used for electric or electronic equipment, i.e., excellent susceptibility to electroless plating, fire retardance, freedom from foliation, sufficient impact resistance, heat resistance and capability of providing a shaped article having thereon a plating simply formed by electroless plating.

Electroless plating-susceptive, fire retardant polyphenylene ether resin


A holder assembly is described for releasably receiving and supporting successive groups of containers in a case packing machine. The machine is operable to move successive groups vertically downward from a first station to the holder assembly at a second station. Subsequently the containers are forced downwardly again from the holder assembly to a case packing station below. The holder assembly functions to group received containers into defined rectangular clusters. The holder assembly also permits vertical movement of the containers while holding them in the rectangular array. Rotary mechanisms enable selective inversion of the holders and containers supported within.

The present invention is used in conjunction with a machine for packing groups of containers, preferably bottles, within open cases.
Lightweight plastic disposable bottles for beverages or other fluids are currently becoming popular in the bottling industry. Such bottles are easily damaged in handling and are not easily packed horizontally into cases. It is more desirable to move the bottles vertically but the lightweight bottles will not fall freely and predictably. It therefore becomes desirable to provide some form of case packing machine that will automatically load groups of such bottles vertically into cases while maintaining full control over the bottles. It also becomes desirable to provide some form of holder for receiving and guiding the bottles as they are moved downwardly.
It is often desirable to pack cases with bottles in inverted positions (open ends down) when there is chance that debris may fall into the otherwise open bottles. The disclosed machines will pack bottles automatically into cases and are selectively operable to invert groups of bottles prior to packing.

Holder assembly for case packing machine


An enhanced redistribution layer is provided that geometrically expands redistribution layer (RDL) pads associated with a ball grid array of a wafer level package (WLP) to provide tensile stress relief during temperature cycle and/or drop testing of the WLP.

As the size of wafer level package devices increases, the array of solder connections between the wafer level package (WLP) device and a printed circuit board also increases. Referring to FIG. 1, a portion of a bottom or underside view of an under bump metal to solder ball interface is shown. In particular, FIG. 1 shows an under bump metal to solder joint interface within a solder joint array that is located adjacent to a wafer level package corner. For clarity, the solder ball is not depicted in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a cut away view along cut away line A of FIG. 1. Referring now to both FIGS. 1 and 2, a portion of a prior art wafer level package 100 is shown. FIG. 2 depicts various material layers associated with the WLP 100. A silicon layer 102 is shown. Within the silicon layer 102 is the active area 104 of the silicon layer wherein on chip semiconductor circuitry is found. The active area 104 ends near each edge of a WLP resulting in a narrow edge area or inactive area 106 that extends about the exterior edges or periphery of the WLP 100 as shown in FIG. 1. Underneath the silicon layer 102 and the active area 104 is a passivation layer 108. The passivation layer is an oxide material that essentially insulates the semiconductor circuitry (not specifically shown) within the active area 104 of the silicon layer 102. Next to the passivation layer 108 is a dielectric layer 110. Within the dielectric layer 110 is a redistribution layer (RDL) 112. The RDL 112 is a metal layer that is responsible for electrically connecting the semiconductor circuitry within the silicon 102 to an exterior connection, for example, to a solder ball 124 and in turn a PC board.
In some WLP devices, the dielectric layer 110 is put down in two separate layers or steps, shown via the dotted line between the two areas indicated as being the dielectric layer 110. The redistribution layer 112 depicted comprises RDL pads and signal trace lines (not specifically shown). Against an RDL pad 112 is an underbump layer (UBM) 116 having a cupped shape such that a solder ball 124 can be easily placed on the UBM 116. The UBM 116 depicted is sometimes referred to as a UBM pad 116. An inner diameter 122 of the UBM 116 is sometimes referred to as the dielectric opening diameter 122, which allows for electromigration of signals, currents and voltages to and from the active circuitry on the silicon 102 via the UBM pad 116 and the RDL pad 112. The RDL pad 112 is electrically connected to the active circuitry within the silicon 102. In some prior art devices, the UBM pad diameter 118 is the same or similar in size to the RDL pad diameter 114. In other prior art, the UBM pad diameter is about zero to 10 microns larger than the RDL pad diameter. As shown, there is some amount of dielectric that separates the RDL lip or edge 115 from the UBM lip or edge. Generally, in prior art devices, the RDL lip 115 has a radial width of from about 0 to about 13 microns.
As wafer level packages become larger their associated solder ball grid arrays or solder joint arrays have also increased in dimension. As the solder ball grid arrays become larger than 7×7 it was found that the prior art wafer level packages began to fail and become less reliable during temperature cycle (TC) testing and drop testing (DT). The TC and DT tests are common reliability tests performed on WLP devices to ensure that they meet minimum reliability standards. During both the TC and the DT testing, the larger WLPs exhibit a die level crack more frequently as the size of the WLP package increase length, width and solder ball count.
Referring to FIG. 3, a prior art WLP structure 100 is shown having both a primary 300 and secondary 306 crack depicted. The primary failure mode of the prior art WLP structure 100 during a temperature cycle and/or drop test is due to a dielectric and passivation layer crack. The primary crack 300 initializes at an upper edge portion of the RDL lip 115. The initialization of this crack during the temperature cycling is believed to be due to the differing coefficients of expansion and contraction of the various layers of materials near and about the solder ball 124, the solder joint and the printed circuit card connection.
There is a high tensile stress concentration created during the TC and drop tests. This stress concentration transfers from the strong UBM pad 116 to the RDL pad 112, which shifts the stress via the RDL lip 115 into the dielectric 110. It is common that the dielectric crack initiates at the RDL lip 115 and then propagates toward the passivation layer 108. In short, during temperature cycling, stress accumulates in the solder joints and shifts to the dielectric layer 110 through the RDL edge 115. As shown, the crack can extend through the dielectric layer and then through the passivation layer at 302 when the crack continues into the silicon 102 and active circuit area (see 304), a circuit failure results.
It is the tensile stress concentration that develops during the TC loading due to the coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch between the printed circuit board (not shown) and the WLP that causes the cracking and failure.
A secondary crack 306 often occurs, but the secondary crack does not create additional failure. The secondary crack 306 travels from the RDL lip 115 toward the UBM layer 116 and does not generally break any electrical connections.
Thus, a problem with prior art WLP devices is that the stress level on the RDL is too high during temperature cycling and drop testing causing a crack or failure through the dielectric layer 110 and into the integrated circuitry. What is needed is a method or mechanism that can decrease or spread the stress buildup on or around the RDL pads during temperature cycling and drop testing of WLPs having a grid array greater than a 7×7 solder joint connection array in order to increase the reliability and mean time between failure of such larger WLP die sizes being manufactured. There is a need for the reliability of large array wafer level packages (LAWLP) to withstand the stresses of temperature cycling and drop testing with high success rather than failure rates.

Redistribution layer enhancement to improve reliability of wafer level packaging


For a common work unit in a plurality of processors, a new application can be associated with the common work unit. A processing system for performing a common work in a work environment having one or more processors, comprising a means for specifying a unit (session) of common work, a means for operating the above common work unit a means for describing the above operation as an operation to a component of the above common work unit (corresponding to a script), and a means for executing the operation described by the above operation description means.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a processing system for permitting a plurality of users to work in common on a plurality of processors, processors in the processing system, its processing method, and a storage medium in which a program representing the processing method is stored.
2. Related Background Art
In recent years, there is proposed a so-called groupware system which supports multiple users in working in common by combining a plurality of personal computers or computers such as workstations so that data can be exchanged or shared, and it becomes practically used. There is a groupware system which makes the common work to be operated as a unit like an application program by conceptualizing the common work executed on it by using software.
A relationship, however, between this common work unit (temporarily called a session) and an application used on the session practically varies according to its situation.
Accordingly, in the conventional system, a session must be limited to a place for just a common work to be managed independently of an application program used in the system. In other words, it cannot relate (enable) a new application program to the session.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a processing system which can provide various common work units easily and use various application programs freely according to the common work units in a wide range of sessions so that the common works can be performed favorably, processors in the processing system, its processing method, and a storage medium for storing a program for specifying the processing method.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a processing system in which an application can be arbitrarily set for each session, processors in the processing system, its processing method, and a storage medium for storing a program for specifying the processing method.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a processing system having a user interface which can easily cope with participation or leaving to or from various sessions, processors in the processing system, its processing method, and a storage medium for storing a program for specifying the processing method.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a processing system having new functions, processors in the processing system, its processing method, and a storage medium for storing a program for specifying the processing method.
Other features of this invention will be apparent from the drawings and description of preferred embodiments which follow.

Processing common work using flexible command strings


Intravenous fluid is supplied under the control of a microprocessor from a reservoir to a cannula through a flow member and a flow control device which responds, via the microprocessor, to the line pressures upstream and downstream of the control device. First and second transducers and first and second check valves are connected respectively upstream and downstream of the control device, and a constant flow resistance device is connected in series with the flow-control device to enhance the accuracy of the system.

Intravenous fluids are generally supplied to the patient under the force of gravity by positioning a reservoir containing an I.V. liquid reservoir at atmospheric pressure at an elevated position relative to the patient. The rate of flow is set by a manually adjustable valve connected in the line between the reservoir and the patient, and once set, the rate remains essentially constant as long as the head of liquid does not change appreciably. Of course, as the liquid is being fed to the patient the pressure head slowly decreases causing the flow rate to decrease proportionately, and if a precise amount of liquid is to be supplied to the patient this change must be taken into account when the valve is initially set or in the alternative the manual valve can be reset from time to time. However, should the patient roll over or make some other movement which appreciably changes the vertical distance between the reservoir and the cannula the flow rate changes more dramatically.
It would be desirable to provide an I.V. system wherein the I.V. fluid reservoir is pressurized and wherein the fluid is supplied to the patient at a substantially precise preset rate irrespective of changes in the pressure head of fluid above the patient. It would also be desirable to include in such a system means for interrupting the supply of I.V. fluid once a preset volume of fluid has been administered to the patient, and to provide an alarm responsive to changes in the pressure feed rate and volume for attracting a nurse or physician when they are needed.

Apparatus for controlling the supplying of intravenous fluids


A tooling for fastening metal reinforcement on the leading edge of a turbine engine blade, the tooling including a blade support for receiving a blade while leaving surfaces of the leading edge of the blade disengaged; and a leading edge reinforcement support on which the blade support is designed to be mounted, and including two lateral wedges between which the metal reinforcement for the leading edge of the blade is positioned, the wedges being suitable for being capable of moving towards each other and apart from each other and each of them being provided with a suction grid for gripping the metal reinforcement, the leading edge reinforcement support further including heater elements for polymerizing an adhesive film applied on the leading edge surfaces of the blade.

The present invention relates to the general field of turbine engines blades provided with metal reinforcement on their leading edges. The invention relates more particularly to tooling and to a method for fastening metal reinforcement on the leading edge of a turbine engine blade that is made of composite material.
It is known for fan blades of a turbine engine that are made of composite material to be fitted with structural reinforcement made of metal that extends over the full height of each blade. Such reinforcement serves to protect a composite blade in the event of an impact against the fan of a foreign body, such as a bird being ingested by the turbine engine, for example.
A known method of fastening metal reinforcement on the leading edge of a composite material blade is as follows. The blade is held in a support and a spanwise positioning marker for the leading edge of the blade is put into place. An adhesive film is then applied to the surfaces of the leading edge of the blade and the metal reinforcement is manually prepositioned on the leading edge of the blade. The adhesive is then polymerized in an autoclave.
Such a method presents numerous drawbacks. In particular, it is a manual method that depends on an operator, thereby presenting a high risk of variation in the material soundness of the adhesive and of variation in the relative positioning of the parts that are assembled together. Such risks need to be compensated by a very strict inspection regime. This leads to high production costs.

Tooling for fastening metal reinforcement on the leading edge of a turbine engine blade, and a method using such tooling


A network topology system comprises a plurality of nodes, each of the plurality of nodes having a set of connection rules which is built by the steps of: generating a series of prime number differences; generating a series of communication strategy numbers; extracting as many terms as the number of connecting nodes from a recursive sequences to serve as an index series; generating a series of connection strategy numbers by extracting the Nth terms from the series of communication strategy numbers, wherein N stands for each number of the index series; and generating a series of connecting nodes numbers by calculating the sum of each odd number and each term of the series of connection strategy numbers so as to build the connection rules for each odd-numbered node to connect the nodes numbered in corresponding with the numbers of the connecting nodes number series.

Technical Field
The present invention relates to the technical field of computer networks, and in particular, to a network topology system and method.
Related Art
High-performance computers or computer systems can provide optimized use of hardware and software, which is achieved by using a processing node including one or more microprocessors and a memory. The computer systems are sometimes referred to as shared multiprocessor systems, and in a shared multiprocessor computer system, processors are regarded as network nodes for interconnection, enabling them to communicate with each other, to share an operating system, resources, data, memory and so on.
In a parallel operation computer system, with increase of the number of computer nodes, network communication between the nodes will increase significantly, and in order to make the communication speed between every two nodes increase, it is possible to use a switch for communication between the nodes. However, the greater the number of nodes is, the more the number of switches used, the number of layers of switches that use a fat tree structure will also increase, thus resulting in that the whole network system has a quite complicated structure and is power-consuming, and the cost of the network system will also increase.


A screw fastened clamping neck attachment for an electrical hand operated drill. The electrical motor of the drill is of the neckless type and has a short rotary shaft extending from the housing. The screw fastened clamping attachment is in the form of two semi-cylindrical bushings adapted to be clamped together at their base portion to form a neck, these bushings, in clamped condition, encasing an extension shaft therebetween which is to be connected to the short shaft of the electrical motor. Preferably the extension shaft has a connecting sleeve end threaded internally with the short shaft threaded externally to provide a threaded connection. Bearings are provided for the extension shaft of the attachment within the semi-cylindrical bushings. Fastening arms extend rearwardly from the bushings to support the attachment on the housing and to resist torsion.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of attachments for a hand operated electrical drilling machine and, in particular, to a screw fastened clamping attachment in the form of a neck which is adapted to be screwed on to the outer housing of a neckless electrical motor having a short shaft, the clamping neck of the attachment being adapted for extending the short shaft to fit the extension part of the attachment for screwing on to a drill chuck which, in turn, accomodates a drill.

Screw fastened clamping neck attachment for an electrical hand operated drill


Systems and methods for provisioning network services include receiving a provisioning request and, in response, initiating a first configuration operation in which a network address is assigned to a piece of network equipment for providing the network service. A network service path is established to the address such that when the equipment is connected to the network, a second configuration operation may be initiated in which the equipment is initialized to perform one or more network functions in support of the network service. Submission of provisioning requests may be conducted through a portal or similar environment that further enables users to analyze, modify, or otherwise manage their network equipment and services.

Telecommunications networks provide for the transmission of information across some distance through terrestrial, wireless, and/or satellite communication networks. Such communications may involve voice, data, or multimedia information, among others. In one example, a communication device, such as a phone or computer, is used to transmit and receive one or more communications to and from another user of the network. Of course, it is possible to use the network to obtain data and multimedia information from machines connected with the network, and to communicate and interact directly with machines to interact software, store information, conduct transactions, etc. Various machines may also be used to communicate over the telecommunications network. Thus, the network provides any number of components interconnected in such a manner as to facilitate the various types of digital interactions provided by the network. Stated differently, telecommunications networks include nodes, such as routers, switches, gateways, and other network components for transporting information.
As telecommunications networks and the interconnection of network nodes become increasingly complex, software-defined networking (SDN) architectures are deployed for simplifying network management and modification. Generally, network nodes provide data-forwarding functionality and management functionality. Stated differently, network nodes may include management functionality for selecting a destination to send network traffic and data-forwarding functionality for forwarding the network traffic to the selected destination. SDN provides more flexibility to networks by decoupling a control plane (resource, routing, and other network management functionality) from a data plane (data-forwarding functionality) enabling network control to become directly programmable and the underlying infrastructure to be abstracted from applications and network services.
Provisioning a network service using SDN or hybrid networking (which may include both SDN and traditional networking) may require the deployment of one or more pieces of customer premises equipment (CPE). Deployment can include both physically connecting the CPE to a telecommunications network over which the network service is provided and configuring the CPE to communicate with both the telecommunications network and any other CPE that may already be installed at the customer site for providing other network services.
Historically, installation of a new CPE requires a technician affiliated with the network service provider to physically deliver and install the CPE. Accordingly, installation of new CPE is inherently limited by the schedules and availability of both customers and service provider technicians. Even after installation, modification of installed CPE and, in particular, modification of functionality related to the interaction between the new CPE and a customer's existing network services and/or existing CPE may further require assistance of a technician. As a result, to the extent all but the most basic changes to a customer network are required, customers face delays to make such changes and incur costs associated with such delays. Such limitations are also costly for network service providers who must hire and retain a geographically dispersed network of technicians to install and maintain CPE.
It is with these observations in mind, among others, that aspects of the present disclosure were conceived.

Device deployment and network management using a self-service portal


An apparatus in which opposed nozzle assemblies are utilized to clean residual material, such as a metallic paste, from an article, such as a screening mask. Each of the nozzle assemblies has a first set of nozzles for spraying a cleaning agent onto the article in a first pattern to first chemically and mechanically remove residual material from the article. At least one of the nozzle assemblies has a second set of nozzles for spraying a cleaning agent onto the article in a second pattern while simultaneously applying a voltage between the second set of nozzles and the article to then chemically and electrolytically remove the remaining residual material from the article.

The present invention is directed to the cleaning of residual material from an article, and more particularly, is directed to the electrolytic cleaning of residual material from an article with a suitable cleaning agent. Most particularly, the present invention is directed to the electrolytic cleaning of paste residue from a screening mask utilizing tetra methyl ammonium hydroxide as the cleaning agent.
In the fabrication of multilayer ceramic substrates for the packaging of semiconductor devices, conductive metal patterns comprising wiring lines, vias, input/output pads and the like, are screened on individual ceramic greensheets through a screening mask. After screening, the greensheets are assembled and aligned, and laminated followed by a sintering operation to form a multilayer ceramic substrate. Fabrication techniques for such multilayer ceramic substrates, including design, screening equipment, and paste screening process are well known in the art.
However, advanced ground rule electronic packaging requires printing a closely spaced conductive metal pattern on the greensheets, and using a screening mask that has highly dense fine dimension etched features. It has been observed that such screening masks have the problem of paste residue entrapment in the mask features in addition to a surface residue when the paste is screened to deposit the conductive metal pattern. This requires that the screening mask be completely and efficiently cleaned after one or more screening passes to eliminate, or at least minimize, the possibility of defects in subsequently screened metal patterns. Any defects in the screened conductive metal pattern replicates into the final product causing yield losses. Moreover, in automated processes for high volume production of multilayer ceramic substrates, it is also necessary that the speed of mask cleaning be compatible with the cycle time preset by the throughput requirement and other dependent operations.
Conductive pastes used in screening the conductive metal patterns comprise metal particles mixed with an organic or inorganic binder and solvent vehicle along with wetting agents, dispersants, surfactants, plasticizers, thickening agents, antioxidants and coloring agents, all of which are well known in the fabrication of electronic components.
Most commonly used conductive pastes in multilayer ceramic fabrication are based on copper, gold, nickel, tin, solder, molybdenum or tungsten metal powders dispersed in an organic polymer binder such as, for example, ethyl cellulose, polymethyl methacrylate, or polyvinyl butyral, in a high boiling point solvent vehicle.
Various processes and apparatus have been proposed for cleaning screening masks. Magee et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,040 and Casey et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,683, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein, disclose apparatus for cleaning paste residue from a screening mask in which a pressured spray is impinged upon the screening mask to mechanically and chemically remove the paste residue.
More recently, Sachdev et al. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,277,799 and 6,280,527, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein, disclose a particularly preferred process to clean the screening mask with a pressure spray of tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (hereafter TMAH). While this process works well in practice, there is room for improvement in that it would be desirable to reduce the amount of TMAH that is used in the cleaning process as well as the time of the cleaning process.
Others have proposed electroclean processes for cleaning a variety of workpieces.
Hoffman, Jr. et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,691, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, discloses an electrolytic method to electroclean by immersion or spraying a conductive body acting as a cathode to remove oxides or impurities. The electrolyte used is an aqueous solution of disodium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate having a pH between 7 and 9.
Riabkov et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,084, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, discloses an electrolytic method to clean a conductive body acting as a cathode in a spray type cell in which an aqueous electrolyte is sprayed onto the body under pressure. The aqueous electrolyte comprises sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium chloride or sodium nitrate and may optionally contain a soluble salt of a suitable metal of which no examples are given.
Datta et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,878, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, discloses an electrocleaning method to remove a metallic residue stain from a molybdenum mask. The electrolyte is comprised of phosphoric acid and glycerol.
Notwithstanding the above efforts in the prior art, there remains a need for an improved apparatus for cleaning paste residue from screening masks and the like.
Accordingly, it is a purpose of the present invention to have an improved apparatus for cleaning paste residue from screening masks and the like.
It is a further purpose of the present invention to have an improved apparatus for cleaning paste residue from screening masks and the like wherein an aqueous cleaning agent is used.
It is yet another purpose of the present invention to have an improved apparatus for cleaning paste residue from screening masks and the like that reduces the time of cleaning the screening masks while also reducing the amount of cleaning agent utilized.
These and other purposes of the invention will become more apparent after considering the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Apparatus for cleaning residual material from an article


A plastic caster has two legs for mounting a wheel(s) and a fork assembly with a bearing housing portion formed around a bearing assembly with inner and outer ring-shaped raceways and bearings evenly dispersed in a cage between the inner and outer raceways. A top-plate has an extension which extension engages the inner raceway permitting the top plate and fork assembly to independently rotate about the second axis. A retention plug is mated with an opening in the extension preventing disengagement of the top-plate from the inner raceway thereby securely attaching the top-plate to the inner raceway.

The present invention relates to swivel wheel casters, and in particular to a plastic swivel wheel caster having a plastic fork assembly formed around a bearing assembly with a top-plate engaging the bearing assembly held securely in place by a retention plug inserted into the top plate through the bearing assembly.
Caster wheel assemblies are well known in the prior art and have been widely used on very diverse apparatuses. Casters are found on weight bearing legs of tables, chairs, and other furniture. They are found on the bases or undersides of flat bottomed furniture such as bookshelves, television, and entertainment stands. Casters are also found on baby carriages, carts, and moving equipment. Unfortunately, caster assemblies frequently get fouled by grit, dirt, hair and other particles in the environment. These particles result in substantial wear and tear leading to caster wheel assembly breakdown. Also, caster assemblies frequently break or fall apart.
Conventional casters include wheel assemblies having a cylindrical extension which rotatably engages a hollow tubular sleeve disposed on a weight bearing leg of an apparatus, wheel assemblies having openings or hollow sleeves for rotatably receiving a cylindrical extension disposed on an apparatus, and similar modifications thereof. Numerous examples of such apparatuses are found in the patent literature including U.S. Pat. No. 1,559,078 issued to Everly (a caster wheel assembly having a fork with a cylindrical extension disposed opposite the wheel and rotatably engaged in a hollow sleeve inserted in the leg of a piece of furniture), U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,394 issued to Huang (a detachable front wheel assembly having a frame attachment member with a hollow sleeve for rotatably receiving a tubular extension disposed opposite the wheels for use as the front wheel assembly of a stroller), U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,723 issued to Juliean et al. (a swivel wheel assembly having a tube plugxe2x80x94hollow sleevexe2x80x94inserted in a hollow leg for receiving a pin rotatably engaged in a rotary member having wheels attached thereto), U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,454 issued to Sumser et al. (a snap-on swivel wheel assembly having a wheel supporting unit with a hollow tube sleeve for rotatably receiving a tubular sleeve having a bottom with an opening and a fastener attaching the two sleeves together; the tubular sleeve in turn rigidly receives a weight bearing leg of a baby carriage), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,895 issued to Wang (a caster device having a wheel supporting fork with a hollow tube sleeve for rotatably receiving a tubular sleeve having flexible detents to prevent separation which tubular sleeve in turn rigidly receives a weight bearing leg of a baby carriage).
It is also known in the art to use ball bearings in caster wheel assemblies. U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,131 issued to Harris teaches a caster assembly having a stem and ball bearing retainer made of a single homogeneous unit of reinforced plastic, a horn made of a single piece of reinforced plastic, a bottom bearing retainer made of a single piece of reinforced plastic, an upper set of ball bearings between the horn and the upper retainer, a lower set of ball bearings between the horn and the bottom retainer, with the bottom retainer being ultrasonically welded to the unitary stem and retainer. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 627,108 issued to Fishel describes a caster assembly which utilizes exposed ball bearing sets. The ball bearing sets of these inventions are not protected from environmental factors, may become entangled with debris, and therefore, are susceptible to heightened wear and tear which reduces the overall life span the caster assembly.
Other bearings have also been used with casters. U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,139 issued to Vollberg et al. discloses a caster with a plain thrust bearing between the wheel frame and the frame carrier. The invention therein has a bifurcated frame for the wheel and the carrier which defines a plain thrust bearing, and allows the frame to swivel relative to the carrier about an axis extending at right angles to the axis of the wheel. A ring-shaped coupling prevents the separation of the frame and carrier whose abutting surfaces are engaged by the ring-shaped coupling.
Other prior art inventions utilize posts and the like which engage part of the caster assembly and are held in place by flanges, retainer rims, and other devices but do not make use of ball bearings. U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,227 issued to Keane discloses a three-piece swivel caster having a force transfer roller which has a mounting portion with a post that engages a base and is held therein by flanges. Keane does not disclose the use of a plug to insure that the post does not disengage from the base. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,257 issued to Seynhaeve describes a caster wheel having a means for capturing and holding a rim by use of a brace snapped into the bore of the rim which is mated with an axis that prevents separation. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 1,395,484 issued to Diss describes a caster wheel having a means for capturing and holding a rim by use of a U-shaped retainer spring strip but the caster slidably rotates. All three of these inventions do not use ball bearings but are instead slidably engaged in a retainer mechanism.
Snap engaging fastener systems for providing rotary motion are also known in the art, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,500 issued to Schuring et al. Schuring et al. discloses a fastener system having a stud element with a split or bifurcated head, forming two prongs, that fits inside a socket sleeve. The socket sleeve and stud element are thereby slidably engaged to permit rotation but not disengagement. The invention of Schuring et al. does not disclose the use of ball bearings.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
An object of the present invention is to provide a snap-fit caster wheel assembly which is lighter than conventional casters which are predominantly fashioned from metals and is sturdier than prior art plastic casters. The present caster wheel assembly is composed predominantly of plastic and therefore is much lighter than conventional casters but its configuration is much sturdier.
Another object of the invention is to provide a snap-fit caster wheel assembly which limits hair, grit or other particles from getting trapped in the wheel assembly and thereby assuring free horizontal rotation of the fork and wheel of the caster assembly.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a snap-fit caster wheel assembly which is designed to last for the life of the apparatus to which the caster is attached. The bearing assembly of the present invention, which facilitates the horizontal rotation, is protected from environmental exposure and has few parts. These qualities assure a longer life for the wheel assembly.
The present invention relates to a plastic caster comprising a fork assembly having a bearing housing portion, at least one prong rigid with the housing portion with at least one wheel mounted on the prong for rotation about a first axis. The bearing housing portion is formed around a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly has inner and outer ring-shaped raceways, preferably with bearings evenly dispersed in a cage between the inner and outer raceways. The housing portion is formed such that the outer raceway is securely affixed to the housing portion while the inner raceway rotates freely about a second axis which is substantially normal to the first axis. The housing portion further comprising a first surface which is remote from the first axis.
A top-plate has a second surface which abuts the first surface. The top-plate has an extension extending from the second surface with an opening therein. The extension engages the inner raceway permitting the top plate and fork assembly to independently rotate about the second axis. A retention plug is mated with the opening of the extension preventing disengagement of the top-plate from the inner raceway to securely attaching the top-plate to the inner raceway.
An advantage of the invention is to provide a caster wheel assembly having fewer parts than commonly found in casters. The present caster has only three separate parts therefore assembling the present caster is easier than assembling casters with more parts.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it does not fall apart easily, and will remain intact for a long time. Conventional casters have the unfortunate disadvantage of coming apart and bending requiring replacement. The present casters are unlikely to come apart and cannot bend as metal casters do.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following drawings and specification.


A diaphragm pump includes upper and lower pump bodies clamping a diaphragm therebetween which separates a driving fluid chamber in the upper body from a pump chamber in the lower body, each body having gripping ridges surrounding the chamber; a driving fluid reservoir in the upper pump body; an outlet check valve having a seat, a closure member and a spring to urge its closure; drive means for alternately pressure loading and unloading the driving fluid chamber; a diaphragm having a central body portion connected to an annular clamping portion by annular webbing; a protruding annular rib inside of the ridges, and sized to bite into the diaphragm before the ridges when the bodies are clamped together; means for adjusting the size of an opening between the driving fluid reservoir and the driving fluid chamber; means for adjusting the distance that the closure member can move away from the seat; a piston assembly including piston received within a cylinder having an upwardly facing sealing surface and adapted to be complementarily received with the upwardly facing sealing surface engaging a downwardly facing sealing surface of the upper pump body, a seal positioned between the two sealing surfaces, and adjustable securement means between the pump body and the cylinder for compressing the seal between the sealing surfaces.

In conventional diaphragm pumps for pumping viscous liquids such as paint, the first component to fail is frequently the diaphragm. In addition to the excessive wear imposed upon the diaphragm by being flexed to extremes usually in the range of 1725-2000 times per minute, one factor leading to premature failures in diaphragms is uneven localized stress concentrations created upon assembly of the pump. In one type of these pumps, the upper and lower pump housing portions which clamp and hold the annular periphery of the plastic diaphragm each define four or five mutually facing, cooperative, concentric, and annular gripping ridges. When a new diaphragm is to be installed, it is placed into position between the upper and lower housings and their mutually cooperating ridges. The housings are clamped tightly together with the ridges biting into, deforming and tightly clamping and sealing the corresponding annular periphery of the diaphragm. As the plastic of the diaphragm flows into the valleys between the ridges, the overall plastic flow is generally uncontrolled. That is, plastic flow radially inwardly from the innermost annular ridge may be greater at some areas than others. This often results in ripples and distortion in the inner portion of the diaphragm which results in uneven stress concentrations. Coupled with the high frequency reciprocal flexing, excessive stress concentrations localize at specific points in these areas, which results in premature failure. Adding to this structural debility is the imperfect manner in which the diaphragm is centered relative to the ridges and the corresponding pumping chambers within which the diaphragm reciprocates. For each increment of misalignment from a perfectly centered position, there is a correspondingly greater risk of resulting localized stress concentrations in the mounted diaphragm, and consequently, of premature failure.
Other problems commonly associated with diaphragm pumps of this type include complex disassembly for servicing and cleaning and difficulty in fine tuning the pump components for maximum performance and efficiency.
What is needed is a diaphragm pump which helps to prevent uneven stress concentrations in the diaphragm and which is easier to assemble, repair and operate.