Abstract: A collimator having a particle getter function, and a thin-film forming apparatus equipped with the collimator disposed between a target and a wafer. The collimator is fabricated by assembling particle getter sheets into a lattice, honeycomb, or other structure having a number of rows of openings and fixing the assembly into a frame. The particle getter sheets refers collectively to sheets and plates to be assembled integrally to provide a surface having excellent particle capturing and holding actions. Typically, the collimator is a lattice assembly of embossed, slitted particle getter sheets. The film deposited on the collimator is kept from peeling off, without deteriorating the collimator performance.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting and holding a circuit board in place in a machine for screen printing a major surface thereof with solder paste. The apparatus includes a member with a surface on which a circuit board rests as the board receives solder paste printing through a screen. The surface has a main groove and distribution grooves that intersect the main groove in communicating relationship therewith at spaced locations along its length. Further, the member has an air removal passageway extending therethrough from one side to the opposite side thereof. The passageway terminates on the one side of the member at an opening located in the main groove. A circuit board resting on the surface over the grooves is held in place during screen printing with solder paste as a result of reduced air pressure established in the grooves when air is withdrawn therefrom through the passageway.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for disinfecting and cleaning contact lenses include a liquid medium containing hydrogen peroxide and a defined ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymer. An advantageously reduced amount of foaming occurs when the hydrogen peroxide is destroyed, particularly by the action of catalase.

Abstract: A sterilizing method includes subjecting material, for example packaging board, to laser UV alone, or substantially simultaneously with laser IR and/or hydrogen peroxide to obtain a synergistic effect between the UV and IR and/or hydrogen peroxide, to render micro-organisms present at said material non-viable.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing combined liquid and solid dental waste from a patient's mouth such that the solid waste is separated from the liquid waste. The solid and liquid dental waste are removed from the patient's mouth and transmitted to a separation chamber. The liquid waste is substantially eliminated from the separation chamber to leave a solid waste residue therein. The solid waste residue is then collected from the separation chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the encapsulation of biologically-active substances in red blood cells, characterized by an optionally automated, continuous-flow, self-contained electroporation system which allows withdrawal of blood from a patient, separation of red blood cells, encapsulation of a biologically-active substances in the cells, and optional recombination of blood plasma and the modified red blood cells thereby producing blood with modified biological characteristics. The present invention is particularly suited for use to encapsulate allosteric effectors of hemoglobin, thereby reducing the affinity of erythrocytes for oxygen and improving the release of oxygen from erythrocytes in tissues.

Abstract: The present invention provides a respirator filter system suitable for filtering toxic agents, including organic vapors, acid gases, formaldehyde, ammonia, and methylamine as well as pesticides, CS and CN tear gases, dusts, mists, fumes and radionuclides from environmental air to be respired by a user of the filter system. In general, the filter system of the present invention includes a cartridge containing a layer of an unimpregnated activated carbon, a layer of an activated carbon impregnated with sulfate, molybdenum and at least one impregnate selected from the group consisting of copper and zinc, and a HEPA filter. Cartridges containing these adsorbents or adsorbents similar to them (in carbon tetrachloride activity and chemistry) have been discovered to be uniquely capable of filtering a broad range of toxic agents.

Abstract: A system for the multiple, simultaneous synthesis of compounds preferably uses a reaction apparatus comprising a reservoir rack having a plurality of reaction wells, a plurality of reaction tubes, usually gas dispersion tubes, having filters on their lower ends, a holder block, having a plurality of apertures, and a manifold, which has ports to allow introduction/maintenance of a controlled environment. The manifold top wall has a plurality of apertures in axial alignment with the reaction tubes and a gasket which allows penetration by a needle in order to dispense and aspirate materials from the reaction tubes. Sealing members, such as gaskets, are placed between the holder block, manifold and reservoir rack and the components are releasably fastened together. A robotic sample processor is used to automate the synthesis process using the reaction apparatus.

Abstract: A material containing an alkaline buffer or deacidifying agent and an adsorbent, and a method for preserving an archival document or object using the material.

Abstract: A molded parison handling apparatus for removing hollow plastic parisons used in the manufacture of oriented plastic bottles from an injection molding machine includes a base having an arm coupled to the injection molding machine. A carriage mounted on the arm moves in a first dimension into and out of the space between the molding elements of the molding machine. A frame cooling unit coupled to the carriage engages the body portion of a set of parisons as they are released from the molding machine. A first motor moves the cooling apparatus to any of three preselected positions along the first dimension located outside the molding machine. A transfer assembly includes three sets of grabbers mounted on a gantry for movement with respect to the base. One set of grabbers grabs the finish portion of the parisons from the cooling apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for multiple, simultaneous synthesis of compounds which consists of: a reservoir block having a plurality of wells; a plurality of reaction tubes, usually gas dispersion tubes, having filters on their lower ends; a holder block, having a plurality of apertures; and a manifold, which may have ports to allow introduction/maintenance of a controlled environment. The manifold top wall has apertures and a detachable plate with identical apertures. The apparatus is constructed from materials which will accommodate heating, cooling, agitation, or corrosive reagents. Gaskets are placed between the components. Rods or clamps are provided for fastening the components together. Apparatus operation involves placing the filters on the lower ends of the reaction tubes in the reservoir block wells, and the upper ends passing through the holder block apertures and into the manifold.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a volatile substance includes a gas-fueled, portable heat source. The heat source has a combustion nozzle capable of supporting a flame. The device includes a sole plate for heating the volatile substance and heat transfer means for enclosing the combustion nozzle and transferring heat from the flame to the sole plate. A heat box substantially surrounds the heat transfer means and sole plate. The heat box has a window through which volatile substances released from the sole plate may escape. The device also has a housing within which the heat box is held in spaced relation from the housing, the housing having a housing window adjacent to the heat box window. By use of the device, a flame at the combustion nozzle heats the sole plate to volatilize a volatile substance placed thereon, which may then escape into the atmosphere through the heat box window, with the housing remaining cool.

Abstract: An ozone filter comprising a paper carrier made of inorganic fiber and having a high porosity is disclosed. Supported by the carrier is a zeolite powder having an SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 molar ratio of not smaller than 15 and fine powder-like activated manganese dioxide having ozone decomposing capability. A process for producing the ozone filter is also disclosed. The ozone filter does not give off a foul smell even when used for a long period of time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low-temperature plasma generator as an electric discharger which is used for discharging electricity in dry air, humid air or water, thereby removing an offensive odor, sterilizing bacteria, purifying water and so on. In the low-temperature plasma generator, rod electric conductors are inserted in through-holes formed in rod ceramics dielectric members and extending in longitudinal directions thereof, both ends of the electric conductors and the dielectric members are integrally joined and sealed by glass or an inorganic or organic adhesive, so as to constitute a plurality of electrodes, and the electrodes are connected to each other through the ceramics dielectric members in line-contacted relation.

Abstract: A modular form assembly includes a plurality of vertical channel pieces coupled detachably side by side to one another. Each of the channel pieces includes two opposing vertical side walls and an intermediate vertical form wall which interconnects the side walls. The side walls of each of the channel pieces abut against and are attached detachably to the side walls of adjacent two of the channel pieces such that the form walls are arranged in a side-to-side contiguity in order to place the form walls in a common vertical plane. Each of the form walls is formed with at least one through-hole therethrough. Each of a plurality of cover plates is mounted removably on one of the form walls to cover a respective one of the through-holes. At least one of the cover plates is formed with at least one positioning hole therethrough.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a single step sterilization wrapping material suitable for use, as an example, in wrapping surgical instruments and supplies for sterilization, transportation and storage. The material includes separate inner and outer wraps which, unlike previous wraps, are joined to one another. Common wrapping techniques involve wrapping items to be sterilized with two separate sheets of wrap. The present invention provides separate wraps which can be specially engineered to deliver specific properties for each sheet and then joined to one another so as to permit wrapping and opening in a neat single step process which increases efficiency and saves time and money. In special situations the outer wrap can be engineered with increased strength, the inner wrap with increased barrier properties and the inner and outer wraps can be made visually distinct from one another so that improper wrapping or opening is not a problem.

Abstract: A bracket for fixating medical instruments or other articles includes a base member with a plurality of spaced-apart fingers extending up from the base member. A recess is formed in a side wall of at least one finger, which recess faces the adjacent finger. Also, a sheath engages around each finger which sheath has a flexible, resilient side wall which overlies any recess in that finger and defines therewith a void. When an article is wedged into the space between the one and the adjacent finger, it will snap into a stable position opposite the void so that the article is resiliently engaged and fixated by the overlying sheath wall.

Abstract: A porous material such as paper made of cellulose fiber prepared by a preservation method of the present invention can retain excellent folding endurance after being subjected to accelerated aging treatment performed at a high temperature with high humidity. The method for preserving the porous material includes the steps of placing a porous material made of mainly cellulose fiber in an airtight chamber, evacuating the airtight chamber to reduce the pressure, supplying an ammonia gas into the airtight chamber to thereby neutralize an acidic substance present in the porous material, simultaneously permitting the porous material to absorb the ammonia gas, and supplying an ethylene-oxide-containing gas into the airtight chamber to thereby react with an ammonia present on the surface of and inside the porous material, thus producing an alkaline substance principally consisting of triethanolamine and allowing the alkaline substance to attach to the porous material.

Abstract: Discussed is a method of preventing the physical degradation of an archival article due to exposure to environmental impurities by applying to a substrate a coating composition containing (i) an alkaline buffer capable of neutralizing acidic components from the environment of the archival article; and (ii) an adsorbent capable of removing chemical components from the environment of the archival article, drying the composition on the substrate to form a coated material; and preventing the physical degradation of the archival object by positioning the coated material in proximity to an archival article.

Abstract: A film peeling method for peeling a film bonded to a board, one end portion of the film overhanging from one end of the board, comprises the steps of: fixing the board by adsorbing the board in a predetermined position; clamping the one end portion of the film overhanging from the board fixed in the predetermined position by a peel hand extending in parallel with the film; causing the peel hand to make an arcuate movement with the one end portion of the film clamped, the arcuate movement being made within a plane orthogonal to the board with the vicinity of a surface of the board as the center of an arc while adjusting a position of the peel hand so as to face to the center of the arc, the peel hand moving away from the board and lifting the one end portion of the film in a direction of other end of the board during the arcuate movement; moving the lifted one end portion of the film in the direction of the other end of the board with the peel hand clamping the one end portion of the film, and further forwardi