Abstract: A method and apparatus for destroying the metallic portion of an elongate medical instrument, such as a hypodermic needle, by locating the instrument in the apparatus in a position where the tip of the instrument electrically engages a contact surface of a first and a second electrode. The electrodes each have an electrical contact surface disposed in opposition and separated by a gap from each other, and each electrode is in electrical contact with a power source. The electric potential between the electrodes is sufficient to induce electrical resistance burning of the tip of the instrument when an electrical current is passed through the tip between the electrodes. During operation of the apparatus, the instrument is progressively advanced longitudinally relative to the electrodes to progressively consumes the shaft of the medical instrument as the burning tip continuously advances from the start position to a finish position.

Abstract: A corona discharge reactor is for use in processing materials in or carried by a gaseous phase. A plurality of cylindrical individual reactor chambers is provided in an array. The reactor chambers are electrically matched with each other and pulses of electrical energy are supplied under sequential control to each of the individual reactor chambers.

Abstract: Particles are made from a liquid feedstock (13) containing a pharmaceutical composition, the particles either being solid or being liquid droplets in an aerosol, by supplying the feedstock to an electronic droplet generator (18), and collecting the droplets in a holding chamber (20). Evaporation of the solvent creates particles which may be trapped using a cyclone (22). The generator (18) comprises a feed chamber (28) to which the feedstock is supplied, a dispensing chamber (30) having an inlet port communicating with the feed chamber and having an outlet port (34), and electronic means (36) for repeatedly applying a pressure pulse to the feed chamber and a pressure pulse to the dispensing chamber so that a droplet is ejected. Each droplet is of volume substantially equal to that of the dispensing chamber, so the particles can be substantially monodisperse, and may be of diameter in the range 0.1-20 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A reactor for the plasma processing of gaseous media, especially internal combustion engine exhaust, has a bed made of a body of ceramic material and electrodes. At least one electrode terminates within the bed at a distance from earthed supporting structure to avoid or reduce the risk of tracking or arcing between the electrode and the supporting structure.

Abstract: An acoustic panel is constructed of a rectangular frame (1). A first face of the panel is covered by a membrane (2) which is at least substantially transparent to audio frequency sound waves. The interior of the frame (1) behind the membrane (2) includes sound absorbent material (5). The second face of the panel is covered by a closure member (4) which is opaque to audio frequency sound waves.

Abstract: A water-based heating or cooling plant incorporating a filtration device and a pipeline network for bleeding water from the heating or cooling plant to the filtration device, the filtration network for bleeding water from the heating or cooling plant to the filtration device, the filtration device having a tank with an upright column of horizontal layers of granulated filtration materials, the densities in the layers increasing from the layer at the top downwardly to the most dense bottom layer, at least one layer being a mechanical layer and at least one layer having a chemically active material to increase the pH value of the water to a magnitude exceeding neutral. The invention includes a method for operating the plant and for backwashing the granulated filtration material.

Abstract: An apparatus which is constituted to supply electrical energy to a melting and vaporizing material (for example metal wire 6) so as to cause the melting and vaporizing material to melt and vaporize, thereby demolishing an object to be demolished (such as concrete 2) using the vaporization and expansion force generated at the time of melting and vaporization of the material; wherein either by providing a granular material 8 which ejects from a container following the generation of the vaporization and expansion force, or by using an inflammable material as demolishing material 46 in which the melting and vaporizing material is immersed, a to-be-demolished object is demolished with a strong demolishing force.

Abstract: After surgical removal of the natural lens, a capsular equatorial ring may be implanted in the opened capsular bag of the eye in order to extend radially the equator of the capsular bag. Surprisingly, with a sharp edged formation of the junctions between the outer circumference and end faces of the ring, or with an axially wide outer circumferential surface, the probability of postoperative migrations of subcapsular epithelium cells on the capsular bag is significantly reduced.

Abstract: Determininig a frequency at which a resonator resonates comprising: driving an acoustic transmitter for applying an acoustic signal to the interior of a resonator by scanning through a first range of frequencies in substantially equidistant steps of a first size; detecting a signal from an acoustic receiver arranged to detect the amplitude of an acoustic signal within the resonator produced by driving the acoustic transmitter over the first range of frequencies; determining a frequency at which a maximum occurs in the detected signal for the first range of frequencies; driving the acoustic transmitter by scanning through a second range of frequencies containing the determined frequency from the first range of frequencies, the second range being smaller than the first range, and scanning through the second range of frequencies in substantially equidistant steps of a second size which is smaller than the steps of the first size; detecting a signal from the acoustic receiver produced by driving the acoustic tran

Abstract: An interlock stitch sewing machine for blindstitch hemming with a slippage preventing device is provided which is so constructed as to prevent slippage that is likely to occur due to a position error of a lower fabric portion of the fabric portions stacked by a top-stitching at the fabric end, or a locally deformed portion due to a cutting error, in the blindstitch hemming of a tubular article such as T-shirts or underwear. A top-stiching width guide and a fabric edge guide are oppositely disposed in front of a needle location. A slippage detecting sensor that detects the edge position of the lower fabric portion to detect the presence of slippage, is attached to the fabric edge guide. When the slippage quantity detected by the sensor exceeds a permissible slippage quantity, it is determined there is possibility of slippage, and an informing means is operated.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method of manufacturing a two-thread yarn having a certain degree of elasticity for use on the weaving industry and to an apparatus for carrying out the method. The method comprises the steps of providing at least one elastic yarn and at least one support yarn as a paired couple; applying a water-soluble thermosetting adhesive substance to said elastic yarn and support yarn paired as a couple; fastening said adhesive-coated elastic yarn and support yarn paired as a couple to each other to form a two-thread yarn; and simultaneously stretching, heating and setting said two-thread yarn comprising said elastic yarn and said support yarn paired as a couple.