Abstract: When compacting mold sand in a mold chamber (not shown) to form a mold or mold part (not shown) by using two co-operating squeeze plates with associated patterns (not shown), in which one squeeze plate is actuated before the other one, the second squeeze plate is not acuated until the pressure in the mold chamber (or a parameter depending on or derived from this pressure) has reached a predetermined value. By proceeding in this manner it is possible to manufacture molds or mold parts in series with practically the same hardness or solidity.

Abstract: In chemical production processes having flammable substances in a reactor (1), the reactor is rendered inert by feeding an inert gas, while headspace gas is removed from the headspace of the reactor. This inert-rendering must also be maintained if the reactor must be opened during the production process. Even when inert gas locks (3) are used, the inert-rendering can only be reliably maintained in this case with a complex instrumental determination of the oxygen content in the reactor. This expense can be avoided by establishing and maintaining a certain difference between inert gas flowrate and head-space gas flowrate removed in a defined manner, which difference is specific to the particular production factors and is determined in advance.

Abstract: In the manufacture of MTBE from TBA and methanol, acidic by-products formed during the etherification reaction are removed by fractionating the etherification reaction product in a first MTBE distillation column to provide a first lower boiling distillation fraction comprising isobutylene, MTBE, methanol and acidic by-products and a first higher boiling distillation fraction comprising methanol, TBA and water, fractionating the first higher boiling distillation fraction in a recycle distillation column to provide a lower boiling TBA recycle fraction and a higher boiling water fraction, recycling the higher boiling water fraction to the MTBE distillation column at a charge point above the charge point for the etherification reaction product, and adding aqueous sodium hydroxide to the recycled higher boiling water fraction in an amount sufficient to neutralize the acidic by-products charged to the MTBE distillation column.

Abstract: Embodiments of a slurry reactor and slurry mixer/contactor are shown and described. Each embodiment of the reactor includes a vessel for containing a liquid slurry or suspension of particles and microorganisms. In the inside of the vessel, generally along its centerline, is a vertical conduit extending from near the top to near the bottom. At the bottom of the vertical conduit is at least one generally horizontal, hollow, stirrer blade in fluid connection with the vertical conduit. The stirrer blade is a mixer/contactor which has openings near its leading edge so fluid may pass therethrough. The stirrer blade may rotate around the vertical conduit if the conduit is fixed, or the conduit, with the stirrer blade fixed to it, may rotate around in the vessel. In any event, the rotation of the stirrer blade is caused by the hydraulic forces of fluid flowing out from the stirrer blade. The flowing fluid creates a fluidization zone in the slurry sediment bed at the leading edge of the stirrer.

Abstract: A sanitizer uses a radiant energy source such as a microwave source to excite a gas contained in a bulb so that the gas produces ultraviolet radiation that can be used to sanitize substances exposed to the radiation. The ultraviolet radiation may also be used to generate ozone from oxygen in air or another gas containing oxygen and the ozone may be used by itself or in combination with ultraviolet exposure to sanitize substances. The bulb for generating ultraviolet radiation can be shaped so that substances to be sterilized are able to pass through the bulb, so that objects (even metal objects) are enclosed by the bulb and shielded from the radiant energy source, or so that the bulb is located at the end of a waveguide and can be positioned to sanitize inaccessible surfaces or substances.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for forming a curl on an end of a tubular member. The apparatus includes first and second members. The first member is capable of holding the tubular member and has an external shoulder beyond which the first end of the tubular member extends a set amount. The second member is coaxially aligned with and is engageable with the first end of the tubular member. The second member includes a pilot which is sized to be inserted into the first end of the tubular member. The second member also includes a sleeve which surrounds the pilot and cooperates with the external shoulder when the second member engages the first end of the tubular member to form a curling chamber. The second member further includes a curling element positioned between the pilot and the sleeve which is capable of contacting the first end of the tubular member. The apparatus further includes means for rotating one of the members and means for moving the members into engagement.

Abstract: A germicidal air cleansing apparatus having an internal ellipsoid chamber which contains UV lamps along the major axis of the ellipsoid. Each of the ends of the ellipsoid along its major axis has an opening to allow the entry and exit of air from the surrounding environment. The chamber is formed from an ultraviolet reflective material such as spun aluminum to allow uniform dispersion of the ultraviolet radiation throughout the chamber. Air is drawn into the chamber by fans at a speed to assure a high kill rate of microorganisms present in the air.

Abstract: While a sealed vessel such as a vial having an inside plug such as a rubber stopper is conveyed, the sealed vessel is slanted by a slanting device until liquid medicine in the sealed vessel touches the inside plug. The sealed vessel is moved and simultaneously rotated by a rotating device while the vial is slanted. The liquid medicine in the sealed vessel is heated at a heating portion by heat energy such as infrared, fuel gas and microwave, so that the heated liquid medicine causes heat sterilization of the whole sealed vessel including the inside plug. Sterilization can be completely carried out by providing a heat-retaining portion, cooling portion and drying portion next to the heating portion. An infrared radiation thermometer is provided at the end of the heating portion to measure the temperature of the liquid medicine, so that the temperature of the liquid medicine in each sealed vessel may be controlled to a desired temperature.

Abstract: A disinfection apparatus including a container; a cap having an article-retaining means, a sealing means and a catalytic element-retaining means affixed thereto; and a catalytic element. The disinfection apparatus has particular utility in the disinfection of contact lenses with hydrogen peroxide solutions. Also disclosed are venting and sealing components, catalytic elements, molded article-retaining assemblies, and catalytic element formation methods.

Abstract: A disinfection apparatus including a container; a cap having an article-retainer, a and a catalytic element-retainer means affixed thereto; and a catalytic element. The disinfection apparatus has particular utility in the disinfection of contact lenses with hydrogen peroxide solutions. Also disclosed are venting and sealing components, catalytic elements, molded article-retaining assemblies, and catalytic element formation methods.

Abstract: An air filtering system for filtering air streams for use in a clean environment to effectively remove a process-limiting molecular contaminant therefrom comprising sequentially arranged upstream and downstream air filtering beds. The upstream air filtering bed is positioned to receive an air stream for use in the clean environment and comprises an upstream reagent selected to effectively remove the process-limiting molecular contaminant from the air stream as the air stream passes through the upstream air filtering bed, the upstream reagent releasing a characteristic volatile component into the air streams. The downstream air filtering bed is positioned to receive the air stream that has passed through the upstream air filtering bed and comprises a downstream reagent selected to remove the characteristic volatile component released by the upstream reagent into the air stream. Clean environments (e.g., a deep UV processing station) incorporating the above-mentioned air filtering system are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a transportable reaction chamber for continuous biological and chemical decontamination of articles by means of a mixture of hot air and steam. The reaction chamber has a tunnel shaped reaction section through which the contaminated articles are transported on a conveyor and through which a mixture of decontaminant gases is circulated. An exhaust blower situated at an end of the reaction section, and transverse flow units along its length, provide both transverse and longitudinal gas flow in the reaction section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for sterilizing a pharmaceutical composition, the method comprising providing a sterilization system including a heat exchanger for elevating and then lowering the temperature of the fluid in a time period; measuring temperature at an input of the heat exchanger, measuring temperature at an output of the heat exchanger and measuring temperature at least one point in the heat exchanger intermediate to the input and output; calculating a coefficient of heat transfer for the sterilization system using the temperature measurements; calculating a degree of sterilization (F.sub.o) using the coefficient; and adjusting the temperature of the heat exchanger to minimize degradation of the pharmaceutical composition while maintaining an acceptable degree of sterilization.

Abstract: A method for establishing and maintaining a microbiologically clean environment in a room by painting at least its wall and ceiling surfaces with a porous layer formed of a porous material, such as perlite, zeolite or micronized silicon dioxide, optionally mixed with a fungicide or bactericide, then repeatedly spreading an aqueous liquid mixture containing a sanitizer over the porous layer, the water in the aqueous liquid mixture being evaporated between each application, leaving sanitizer in the pores of the porous layer.

Abstract: A small-capacity multi-purpose batch plant comprises a multi-floor type structure and reaction vessels with jackets for heating and/or cooling. The jacket consists of two halves which are attachable to and detachable from the vessel by closing and opening. The vessels are transported to any position in the structure by stacker cranes and/or conveying trucks in horizontal directions in the same stages and in vertical directions between the different stages. Heating and cooling of the vessels can be done with any heating and cooling media. The usable temperature range is wide, and there is no risk of distortion and cracking at the welded parts of the vessels due to thermal stress. Processes in which transfer of the liquid, particularly, separation of two phases or dropping is involved can be carried out without using pipings and pumps, and thus, contamination is minimized.

Abstract: A support for medical instruments is provided to securely grasp the instrument during sterilization and storage. The support can be readily rearranged on a sterilization tray and can be securely locked in whatever position is desired. It employs a novel arrangement of locking bayonet fingers and a simple removal tool for changing location of the support.

Abstract: Close-coupled atomization systems and methods employing non-axisymmetric gas flow have demonstrated superior efficiency in the production of fine superalloy powder, compared to conventional close-coupled atomization utilizing an axisymmetric annular gas orifice and an axisymmetric melt nozzle. A means has been devised for convening otherwise axisymmetric plenums into non-axisymmetric plenums that produce non-axisymmetric gas flow.

Abstract: A bending process including both preliminary and following steps takes place in one apparatus. A plastic pipe (6) is heated to a temperature in which it can be plastically deformed. The heated pipe is thereafter shoved into a pipe-shaped bending channel (27) of a bending tool, with the bending tool comprising two dies (9,10), each respectively defining a groove (14,13) which together form the bending channel. Finally, a cooling agent is allowed to flow through the bent pipe which is still in the bending tool. The thusly cooled pipe is removed from the bending tool after the dies are separated from one another. The apparatus to bend the plastic pipe comprises heating, bending, and cooling stations (1,2,3). The heating station comprises two heating fixtures, and the cooling station comprises a supply line (21,22) with a coupling joint (20) which can be coupled to an end of the pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sterilizing bone grafts, wherein the bone graft together with a quantity of sterile liquid sufficient to cover the bone graft is initially heated at a given sterilizing temperature for a constant first period of time, and is subsequently heated for a variable second period of time the duration of which is a function of the size of the bone graft. The bone graft is then cooled to room temperature, and the liquid transferred to a container. The sterilized bone graft is frozen, and the liquid in the container is analyzed for infectious diseases.

Abstract: An improved method for rapid disinfection of contact lenses in a convenient and reliable manner is disclosed in which a series of oxidation-reduction reactions are employed. Specifically, dichloroisocyanurate and potassium iodide react to form iodine species for disinfecting the contact lens. An amount of ascorbate is then added to neutralize the iodine species.