| Small thin piece holder using elastic material -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Small thin piece holder using elastic materialRelated Patent Categories: Supports: Racks, Special ArticleSmall thin piece holder using elastic material description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070029266, Small thin piece holder using elastic material. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a small thin piece holder which holds and carries a small thin piece to be a target for observation and processing mainly in a minute area. [0002] In recent years, integrated circuits and other devices are increasingly minimized and sophisticated, and it is indispensable to observe and process a micro sample in a complex form. The samples of these devices are extremely delicate, and it is difficult to handle them, such as holding and carrying them. [0003] Then, heretofore, a material which has an adhesion property is used as a holding stage and a carry sheet for a sample (see Patent References 1 and 2 and Non-patent Reference 1), whereby the sample can be protected against an impact and can be handled easily. More specifically, the sample is closely brought into contact with the top surface of the sheet having the adhesion property for allowing holding and carrying it. Therefore, the sample will not move due to a slight vibration, and thus the sample can be prevented from being damaged, and a sample retainer can be eliminated as well. [0004] However, in a holding and carrying method by a conventional sheet using the adhesion property for holding and carrying a sample, in the case in which a sample is very fragile or thin, a problem arises that the sample is bent or damaged when it is peeled from the sheet and a broken piece caused by the damaged sample damages other samples. In addition, when a thin plate-shaped sample has the observation or processing target on the front and back sides or the end face thereof, for example in case of a TEM mesh which is used for observing a minute area and on which a TEM sample is placed, the portion for observation or processing is inevitably brought into contact with an adhesive configuring the sheet, and the contact immediately causes damage on the target area. Therefore, holding and carrying the sample is not allowed by this method. [0005] [Patent Reference1] JP-A-2004-39928 [0006] [Patent Reference2] JP-A-2005-116920 [0007] [Non-patent Reference1] GEL-PAK, "GEL-Trays (Carrier Trays)", [online], <URL:http://www.gelpak.com/products/gel_tray.html> on the Internet, searched on Jul. 5, 2005 [0008] In view of the circumstances above, an object of the invention is to provide a small thin piece holder which can reduce damage due to contact with an adhesive and bend or damage generated in detachment, and can stably, detachably hold or carry only one part of a small thin piece. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] A first aspect according to the invention is providing a small thin piece holder comprises a sheet shaped member having elasticity which is provided with at least one cut into which one part of a small thin piece can be detachably inserted and held. [0010] In the first aspect, even if the sheet has an adhesion property, one part of the small thin piece is held and the small thin piece will not be brought into contact with an adhesive except the one part to be held. Thus, the small thin piece can be prevented from being damaged in attachment of the adhesive. In addition, in taking out of the small thin piece, it can be taken out in such a manner in which it is pulled out of the sheet shaped member, not peeled therefrom in the conventional manner. Therefore, the small thin piece can be prevented from being broken or bent. [0011] A second aspect according to the invention is that in the first aspect, the sheet shaped member is formed of an elastomer. [0012] In the second aspect, the cut formed in an elastic product is used to allow effectively holding a small thin piece. [0013] A third aspect according to the invention is that in the second aspect, the sheet member is a thermoplastic elastomer or rubber. [0014] In the third aspect, the thermoplastic elastomer or rubber can effectively hold a small thin piece. [0015] A fourth aspect according to the invention is that in the first aspect, the sheet shaped member is formed of hydro-gel. [0016] In the fourth aspect, hydro-gel can effectively hold a small thin piece. [0017] A fifth aspect according to the invention is that in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the sheet shaped member has an elasticity of 10.sup.-4 MPa to 2 MPa at room temperature. [0018] In the fifth aspect, the small thin piece can be held in the optimum elasticity. [0019] A seventh aspect according to the invention is that in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the cut is provided in a direction orthogonal to the top surface of the sheet shaped member. [0020] In the seventh aspect, a small thin piece can be held almost vertically in the cut formed from the top surface of the sheet shaped member in the direction orthogonal to the top surface thereof. The accommodation space in the plane direction can be suppressed, and a large number of the small thin pieces can be held. [0021] An eighth aspect according to the invention is that in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the cut is provided in a direction tilting toward the top surface of the sheet shaped member. [0022] In the eighth aspect, a small thin piece can be held in the cut provided on the top surface of the sheet shaped member in the direction tilting toward the top surface thereof. The accommodation space in the height direction can be minimized, and the accommodation space in the plane direction can be suppressed. [0023] A ninth aspect according to the invention is that in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the sheet shaped member is housed in a container having a lid. [0024] In the ninth aspect, a small thin piece can be protected against deposits such as dust or a scattering of liquid, and carrying the small thin piece holder can be facilitated. In addition, when the sheet shaped member is formed of a water containing compound such as hydro-gel, evaporation of moisture can be reduced. [0025] A tenth aspect according to the invention is that in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the small thin piece is an MEMS structure or a TEM mesh or a microscope cantilever. Continue reading about Small thin piece holder using elastic material... Full patent description for Small thin piece holder using elastic material Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Small thin piece holder using elastic material patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Small thin piece holder using elastic material or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Ultra violet water treatment device and system Next Patent Application: Bicycle support rack Industry Class: Supports: racks ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Small thin piece holder using elastic material patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.17034 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
