Abstract: A canister is provided that is adapted for use in a plasma induced sterilization process. The canister contains a gas mixture that is pressurized to between about 2200 psig to about 2500 psig. The gas mixture has about 2.0 to 2.4 (v/v) percent hydrogen and about 2.6 to 3.0 (v/v) percent oxygen, and the rest of the gas mixture is noble gas or a mixture of noble gases.

Abstract: A metal carrier and a production method thereof for carrying an exhaust gas cleaning catalyst for automobiles, autobicycles, and industrial equipment. The metal carrier includes a metal honeycomb core body pressed into a metal outer cylinder, and the joined portion of the a flat plate and a corrugated plate forming the metal honeycomb core body includes a solder material coated in spots or stripes at peaks of corrugation of the corrugated plate. The solder material in the joined portion of the flat plate and the corrugated plate has a thickness of less than 100 .mu.m, the positions of the joined portions are different between the surface and backside of the flat plate and corrugated plate, and the joined portions are present through an unjoined area having a length of more than 5% of the length of the metal honeycomb core body from an end face of the metal honeycomb core body at the exhaust gas inlet side.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for use with electronic activation means such as work or entertainment systems introduce precisely controlled amounts of aromatic chemicals, using metered spray technology, into the immediate vicinity of the operator. Control is provided by microprocessor circuitry so that aromas may be used at appropriate times and intensities by computer or entertainment sources. Multiple removable spray containers may generate numerous aromatic enhancements to a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: A retractable chemical injection device especially adapted for introducing a chemical reactant solution into a large scale combustion device such as a fossil fuel fired boiler. The device incorporates a lance tube mounted to a elongated frame located outside of the combustion device which enables the lance tube to be extended into and retracted from the combustion device flue gas stream. The lance tube carries a plurality of axially distributed discharge nozzles enabling the chemical reactant entrained in an injection carrier to be ejected from the nozzles. The injection device provides for atomization of the chemical reactant solution before the mixture passes into the lance tube which provides the beneficial effects of cooling the lance tube and providing a uniform distribution of the chemical solution to the distributed discharge nozzles.

Abstract: The liquid treating method according to the present invention introduces a bubble into liquid phase and applies vibration waves, such as ultrasonic waves, from each sides of the bubble. Collision of the vibration waves with the bubble imparts the compression pressure to the bubble. This effect is used to dissolve a gas forming the bubble into the liquid phase or to improve liquid quality of this liquid phase.

Abstract: The blood flow channel sections of an oxygenator and a blood resevoir are hydrophilized by treatment with an acid, an albumin solution, polyhydroxy methacrylate, corona discharge, plasma or ozone, so that it has highly improved weltability by the priming liquid and the blood to prevent blood foaming. The blood flow channel sections of a medical instrument may be additionally hydrophilized by treatment with a polymer containing hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate or in addition thereto a poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxypropylene) block polymer.

Abstract: An ozone generator is disclosed in which ozone production is controlled through corona voltage and airflow. The ozone from the generator converts perchloroethylene vapor in dry cleaning effluents into environmentally acceptable compounds. Ozone generation is controlled in response to the perchloroethylene vapor concentration in the mixture that is discharged from a mixing chamber in the apparatus. Other features include an inflatable retention chamber for allowing the ozone and perchloroethylene reaction to go to completion and improved means for cleaning the glass plates in the ozone generator by sliding the plates out of the generator structure.

Abstract: A cell for performing optical measurements in an automatic analyzer is molded in one piece from a transparent plastic material, and has a tubular body including two plane walls parallel to each other, two opposite ends, and a bottom wall. The first end of the tubular body is open and the second end is closed by the bottom wall which has the shape of a half-cylinder. The tubular body of the cell has two side-walls which extend between the plane-parallel walls and which each have an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion of each side wall is adjacent the bottom wall and includes an elongated, leg-shaped outer projection which extends along the longitudinal axis of the cell between the upper portion of the side-wall and a point at a certain distance from the bottom wall. Each of the plane-parallel walls has a tongue member adjacent the open end of the tubular body.

Abstract: In an apparatus for treating, for purposes of sterilization, a continuous material web a first treatment station is provided and includes a device for bringing a material web into contact with liquefied hydrogen peroxide. A second treatment station is also provided in which the material web is simultaneously sterilized with hydrogen peroxide vapor and dried with heated air after treatment of the material web in the first treatment station. The second treatment station includes an elongate chamber having an inlet and outlet, the material web being dried and thereby generating hydrogen peroxide vapor as it is led through the elongate chamber from the inlet to the outlet. The second treatment station also includes an outer flow duct in flow communication with the inlet and outlet of the elongate chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing fumigation gasses from fumigated structures is provided. Air is directed from a structure through an adsorption unit and then recirculated back into the structure. A fan directs air through the adsorption unit. The adsorption unit contains an annularly shaped adsorption bed and an inner passage way and outer passage way through which fumigation gasses are directed. A lower adsorption efficiency per pass through the adsorption bed is used in conjunction with multiple passes with the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping heater assemblies onto cylindrical bodies such as injection molding nozzles that require heating. The clamp includes a mandrel that slips over the nozzle, and has a heater wound on the exterior. The mandrel has a longitudinal slit that will permit the bore of the mandrel to be reduced in size when a lateral width of the slit is reduced. The mandrel carries outwardly facing cam surfaces, and an overlying sleeve has inwardly facing cam surfaces which mate, and upon relative longitudinal movement, the cam surfaces cause the lateral width of the slit to reduce and clamp the mandrel onto the nozzle. The clamping can be effected by differential movement due to differences in thermal expansion of the mandrel and the sleeve, or by mechanical movement of the sleeve relative to the mandrel to obtain the cam action.

Abstract: A device for applying an evaporation-inhibiting film to an exposed liquid surface of a liquid body, which includes an impeller disposed below and coplanar with the exposed liquid surface; means for rotating said impeller; means for delivering the evaporation-inhibiting film to the exposed liquid surface at a location immediately above said impeller; and means for bringing liquid from beneath the exposed surface of the liquid body to above said impeller.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for thermal decomposition of stock, especially a spent liquor obtained from pulp manufacture, where the gas stream formed in this connection passes through a liquid bath. The decomposition device has a reactor with a chamber in which thermal decomposition takes place, and a separation zone including a liquid bath for separating off components contained in the gas stream leaving the chamber. The separation zone includes a housing for the liquid bath and a tipping chute arranged adjacent the outlet of the chamber, so that the tipping chute at least partially increases in cross-sectional area in the direction of flow of the gas stream.

Abstract: A gas contaminant separator includes a pressure tube and a concentric and axially aligned down pipe mounted within the pressure tube. The pressure tube and down pipe define an annular space having a helical rib extending therein. A plurality of magnets are mounted to the down pipe above the helical rib adjacent a perforated plate. A spiral induction plate is mounted within the down pipe for imparting rotation on a gas stream after the gas stream moves through the magnetic field created by the magnets, and through the perforated plate. A gas inlet admits gas into the annular space, and a gas outlet removes gas from the down pipe after it has passed through the annular space, across the magnetic field, through the perforated plate, and through the spiral induction plate mounted in the down pipe.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing an object having the steps of providing a container with an exterior surface that has a microwave interactive layer and defines an interior space having an initial temperature. An object is then placed within the interior space of the container. Next, the microwave interactive layer is exposed to a first amount of microwaves so that the layer produces heat which raises the temperature within the interior space to a predetermined sterilization temperature. The predetermined sterilization temperature is then maintained within the interior space for an amount of time sufficient to sterilize the object.

Abstract: An aqueous solution for organ preservation or maintenance, which contains: a vasodilator in an amount sufficient to maintain vascular homeostasis; D-glucose in an amount sufficient to support intracellular function and maintenance of cellular bioenergetics; magnesium ions in an amount sufficient to support intracellular function and maintenance of cellular bioenergetics; macromolecules of molecular weight greater than 20,000 daltons in an amount sufficient to maintain endothelial integrity and cellular viability; potassium ions in a concentration greater than about 110 mM; and a buffer in an amount sufficient to maintain the average pH of the organ preservation or maintenance solution during the period of organ preservation at about physiologic pH or above.

Abstract: A method for creating a barrier to protect wood materials for house construction or wooden structures such as houses from humidity, moisture and/or biological attacks, such as wood decaying fungi and termites, is disclosed. The method is to treat wood itself or, preferably, the ground surface under the floor with a liquid containing a synthetic resin emulsion and an anti-fungal and wood-preservative agent and/or a pesticide such as termite-controlling agent, and further, a foaming agent. The barrier contains a selected copolymer of vinyl acetate and a polyurethane polymer.

Abstract: A detergent dispenser that is coupled to a source of fluid and which has a chemical source in solid cast form. A spray generator is designed to generate a fluid spray bearing on the chemical source, the fluid spray generating a concentrated solution of the chemical. The concentrated solution of the chemical is discharged through a discharge conduit. A single valve controls a flow of fluid from the source of fluid. The valve has an inlet that is operably fluidly coupled to the source of fluid, an outlet that is operably fluidly coupled to the spray generator, and an outlet that is operably fluidly coupled to the discharge conduit. A metering device for selectively metering portions of the flow of fluid to the spray generator and to the discharge conduit is disposed within the valve and selectively fluidly couples the inlet to the outlet that is operably fluidly coupled to the spray generator and to the outlet that is operably fluidly coupled to the discharge conduit.

Abstract: A process for forming sterilization wrap and sterilizing an article, such as an surgical instrument tray, wrapped with said sterilization wrap is provided. The sterilization wrap is formed by securing a sterilization reactive material to the sterilization wrap. The article to be sterilized may be wrapped with the sterilization wrap of the present invention such that the sterilization reactive material is positioned between a portion of the sterilization wrap overlying a weight bearing surface of the instrument tray and an instrument tray receiving surface, such as a table or storage shelf. Upon exposure to sterilization conditions for a sufficient time, the sterilization reactive material may stiffen, thicken, become less porous, less dense or any combination thereof.

Abstract: An air filter having a tapered cylindrical filter member is attached to an engine air intake at its larger end and has an inverted frusto-conical member inside the opposing smaller end for reducing turbulent air flow through the air filter. The inverted frusto-conical member includes an air filter portion which may be the tapered walls of the inverted frusto-conical member, or the smaller flat end of the inverted frusto-conical member. A funnel inside the larger end of the tapered cylindrical filter member further reduces turbulence of the air flow from the air filter into the engine air intake.