Abstract: An air mixer, with a water collector, is disclosed for supplying recirculated cabin air in aircraft. In the preferred embodiment: used cabin air flows over pipes of colder fresh air to cool the used air and condense out most of the moisture contained in it; the fresh air and used air are passed over opposite faces of a ring of stator vanes, thereby imparting swirls to both types of airstreams; and the streams meet at the trailing tips of the stator vanes, where they corkscrew together to throw remaining coalesced moisture against a collection trough, from where it is discharged. The airstreams can now be injected into the cabin without droplets raining down on the passengers, nor ice clogging any pipes for the fresh air, which is typically supplied at below-freezing temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing and sterilizing objects is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, and a tray supported within the housing for storing the objects to be sterilized. A sterilizing solution is located within the housing and below the tray. An elevator assembly lowers the tray downwardly to immerse the objects in the sterilizing solution, and lifts the tray upwardly to remove the objects from the sterilizing solution for further storage until use.

Abstract: An autoclave (1) is provided with an internal table (1) upon which articles to be sterilised can be placed. The autoclave is provided with a mechanism (2, 3, 5) for shaking or vibrating the table, and thereby shaking or vibrating the liquid undergoing sterilization, resulting in a more even temperature distribution within the liquid, thereby reducing the length of time for sterilization and reducing the occurrence of flash evaporation of the culture medium. The shaking or vibration may, for example, be induced by a shaft (2) which passes sealingly through a wall of the autoclave or may be induced by a number of magnets (41) located on a ring (38) around the autoclave which magnetically attract associated magnets (35) on the table within the autoclave.

Abstract: The invention is directed to improving the disinfection of dental impressions following removal from the patient's mouth and before entering the dental laboratory to prevent contamination. It involves the use of a pH-adjusted hypochlorite solution, which is highly effective in killing microorganisms, and also relatively inexpensive. Using the solution of the instant invention for disinfection causes no damage to the impression, no loss of accuracy, and does not destroy the details on the impression surface.

Abstract: An arrangement for carbonating a solution by pressurization of a defined spatial area in a container in which a carbonating mixture is combined with a solution. The container is typically filled with a solution to a demarcation defining a spatial area. Reactants, an acid and a base, evolve CO.sub.2 when reacted in a solution. The quantity of reactants added is designated so as to generate a quantity of CO.sub.2 which will increase the pressure in a defined spatial area and cause a quantity of CO.sub.2 to redissolve. The result of this arrangement is a solution supersaturated with CO.sub.2. The reaction chamber may also be divided into separate compartments with each compartment containing individual servings. Each compartment has an evacuation device allowing the contents of the compartment to be delivered for consumption without effecting the level of carbonation of the solution remaining in the other compartments of the container.

Abstract: A lightweight, personal, portable dispenser of medically pure oxygen at appropriate temperature and delivery rate for direct inhalation is disclosed. The dispenser contains an oxygen producing generator to initiate the creation of oxygen instantaneously from a fuel-less self-contained chemical reaction of extended shelf-life inert compounds in a totally safe and reliable generator. The oxygen initially enters an expansion chamber. A cylindrical dispenser body houses the oxygen producing generator and forms an annular space between the cylindrical dispensing body and the oxygen producing generator. A bottom web attached to the periphery of the bottom of the cylindrical dispenser body allows air from outside of the dispenser to enter the annular space formed between the cylindrical dispensing body and the oxygen producing generator and flow out the top of the cylindrical dispenser body.

Abstract: An apparatus mountable atop a container having a cavity containing a solid material, an orifice positioned atop the container and a liquid inlet. The apparatus has a collar having an axial bore, a pivotable conduit attached to the collar and a diffuser attached to the conduit. The apparatus ensures that solid material within the container remains flooded during dispensing of liquid from the container and provides convenient accessibility to the diffuser for removal, inspection and replacement. The apparatus is particularly well suited for dispensing of liquids containing solid halogen donor materials from solid halogen donor containers.

Abstract: A process for producing a sterile article in a sealed container during a continuous production process. In a preferred embodiment, a contact lens is immersed in an ozone-containing solution within a container during a continuous lens packaging process, and the lens and container are subsequently subjected to ultraviolet radiation. This process sterilizes the contact lens and lens container in order to maintain the contact lens in a sterile environment during shipping, handling, and storage.

Abstract: A flexible medical packaging unit designed as a bag (14) including a single connector (18) containing a powdered salt concentrate (16), i.e. bicarbonate, with a volume sufficient for one dialysis treatment. The bag (14) has such a capacity that the powdered salt concentrate (16) will only partially be dissolved even when completely filled with water.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating infectious wastes from hospitals, medical clinics or the like integrates sterilizing, fragmentizing and compaction steps within a single waste processor. Wastes which are deposited in a sterilization chamber are made non-infectious by exposure to pressurized steam. An outflow of wastes from the sterilization chamber is fed through one or more on-line shredders or the like and then into a compactor which compresses the processed material into a transportable container that may be hauled to a dump site.

Abstract: A two chamber regenerative thermal oxidizer comprises an oxidizing chamber and a pair of regenerator chambers. Inlet and outlet valves control fluid flow to and from said regenerator chambers. A transition duct communicates with a contaminated fluid feed duct upstream of the regenerator inlet valves and with the oxidizing chamber of said oxidizer. Electronic control means opens and closes valves, selectively, in a prearranged sequence whereby the inlet and outlet valves in an individual regenerator are never open at the same time, thereby precluding short circuiting of the regenerative chamber, yet all of the inlet and outlet valves to the regenerative chambers are never simultaneously closed thereby to maintain the pressure of fluid flow through said regenerator chambers relatively constant.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for regulating the gas pressure in the retort of a coke oven. Pivotable cup valves arranged in the elbows of the ascending pipe are actuated as throttling members according to the pressure curve resulting from gas formation from the coal to be cokefied. Throttling of each individual retort is effected by varying water supply, thus regulating the extent of submersion in water, and regulation follows actual pressure conditions in the retort of the coke oven.

Abstract: A multiple product dispensing system includes a plurality of use solution dispensers and a controller for selecting one of the dispensers according to a preset regimen, e.g., selecting different dispensers on different days of the week. Each dispenser dispenses a controlled concentration of use solution using a diluent delivery apparatus that delivers a diluent to form a liquid concentrate from a solid chemical composition, and to form make-up diluent for diluting the liquid concentrate and forming a use solution of controlled concentration. A foam reducer reduces the kinetic energy of the make-up diluent prior to mixing with the liquid concentrate to reduce foaming. An unskilled operator may operate the dispensing system to dispense a use solution of carefully controlled concentration, and the controller will automatically select the proper dispenser according to the preset regimen, without any additional input on the part of the operator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating the components of and/or decomposing a liquid material, involving the application of an artificial gravitational field to a liquid material by rotating the liquid material in a rotatable vessel. A non-rotatable mechanical member contacts the liquid material while the liquid material is exposed to the artificial gravitational field. The liquid material is thusly subjected to thermomechanical frictional heating.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of an acid in its anhydrous form from an aqueous solution containing the acid in its hydrated form. The process includes adding to the solution a weak base in the form of a soluble salt of the acid, and concentrating the solution containing the acid hydrate and the salt of the acid to a substantially water-free, acid-salt mixture. The acid is distilled off in its anhydrous form from the acid-salt mixture.

Abstract: An apparatus for plasma sterilization of articles is provided with a plasma generator, a sterilizing chamber, and a source of water vapor in fluid communication with the plasma generator, and may optionally include an autoclave. A method for plasma sterilization comprises exposing an article to be sterilized to a neutral active species of a plasma generated from water vapor. The exposure of the article to the plasma is carried out at reduced pressures and a chamber temperature of less than about 82.degree. C. for a time period sufficient to effect sterilization.

Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaning system includes a pyrolysation channel, a mixing channel downstream of the pyrolysation channel and a reaction channel downstream of the mixing channel. An atomizing nozzle is provided for injecting into the pyrolysation channel an atomized mixture of compressed air and a dilute urea solution. The compressed air and dilute urea solution contacts the exhaust gas stream in the pyrolysation channel wherein the urea decomposes into ammonium and carbon dioxide. Mixers are provided in the mixing channel for forming a homogeneous mixture of the ammonium and carbon dioxide with the exhaust gas. The reaction channel downstream of the mixing channel is provided with at least two catalysts for contacting the homogeneous mixture and removing effluents therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for removing acid gases, air toxics and/or other contaminants from a flue gas stream formed during the combustion of fossil fuel, and/or waste materials. The flue gas stream is conditioned immediately downstream of the combustion source with a finely atomized liquid which is preferably water. The water spray decreases the volume of the flue gas and cools the flue gas to condense air toxics or heavy metals on the baghouse fabric filters. Advantageously, this may utilize the alkalinity inherent in the fly ash component of the particulate to assist in the removal of acid gases and/or other contaminants via adsorption. Also, the conditioned gas reduces the flue gas volumetric flow rate and hence the size of the particulate collection device, and the cost of the fabric filter media.

Abstract: A coating sprayer includes several sprayguns. The sprayguns are accommodated in an essentially solid-walled spraybooth. A conveyor with a motor-revolved belt conveys the articles through the spraybooth. A belt-wiping assembly extends across the belt and wipes its surface clean. The belt-wiping assembly includes a wiper that revolves around at least one axis. Since the axis is entirely or almost perpendicular to the surface of the belt, at least some of the wiper's active edge will contact the surface of the belt. The sprayer is intended for spraying such flat articles as furniture parts.

Abstract: The present invention covers a method for disinfecting a contact lens including contacting the lens with an isotonic aqueous solution comprising 0.6 to 2 weight percent tromethamine (preferably 0.8 to 1.5 percent) for a time sufficient to disinfect the lens. Other aspects include adding to the solution from 0.01 to 1 weight percent chelating agent (preferably disodium EDTA) and/or additional microbicide.