Abstract: The invention provides a biological sampling and storage container which is easy and sanitary to use, may be shipped through regular mail, and includes a drying material or desiccant for drying feces samples that are stored therein. The sampling and storage container consists of a body having a sampling chamber and a drying chamber which are in gaseous communication with each other. Preferably, a sampling wand is frictionally retained in the sampling chamber and the drying material is disposed in the drying chamber.

Abstract: A magnetic treatment apparatus for magnetically activating water is provided. The apparatus includes an upstream connector, a housing, a downstream connector and a magnetic unit. The magnetic unit is accommodated within a magnetic treatment passage formed in the housing. The upstream connector and the downstream connector are provided with a water inlet passage and a water outlet passage, respectively. Both of the water passages are in communication with the magnetic treatment passage of the housing. The magnetic unit includes a plurality of magnet holding pipes extending along the magnetic treatment passage. Each of the magnet holding pipes hermetically contains a plurality of disk-shaped permanent magnets, so that water to be treated will not come into contact with the permanent magnets.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously processing a plural number of samples, each of the samples including a fluid containing particulate matter. The apparatus is useful in cytology to collect a uniform monolayer of cells from a biological fluid. Each of a plural number of processing assemblies (corresponding to the plural number of samples) comprises a container, an agitator rotatable relative to the container for contacting and dispersing particulate matter in the fluid, a filter assembly including a filter for collecting particulate matter, and a pump for moving the fluid through the filter. Each container is supported on a separate container receiver, and each pump is engaged by a separate pump engagement. A rotary driver effects relative rotation of the agitators and their respective containers simultaneously to mix the samples in the containers.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for processing material having a chamber (100), a rotatably driven shaft (104) extending within the chamber to which is attached at least one element (110) which engages the material (102) in the chamber during rotation thereof and a drive mechanism (150, 170, 200 and 250) for rotating the driven shaft.

Abstract: A screen plate (1) for screening of pulp suspensions, comprises a number of elongated at least partially curved screen slots (3). According to the invention every screen slot has a width which is maximally 0.8 mm, and the screen slots bend in such a way that a straight rod, which has a breadth which is less than the width of the screen slot and the length which is 5 mm, is prevented from passing through the screen slot, when the rod extends along the screen plate, independently of how this rod is oriented in relation to the screen slot. At that elongated stiff shives may be separated more efficiently by means of the screen plate. This screen plate may also be used for separating a pulp suspension into a first fraction comprising comparatively stiff fibers and a second fraction comprising comparatively flexible fibers.

Abstract: A centrifuge, especially a flow-through centrifuge free of rotating seals, for centrifuging biological fluids has a stand on which a frame (1) is rotatably mounted. A centrifuge chamber (3) is rotatably mounted on the rotating frame (1) to rotate about the axis of the latter. The centrifuge chamber (3) is driven in the same direction of rotation as the frame (1) but at twice the rotational speed. Coupling elements which are engaged by magnetic forces and are designed in the manner of a clutch disk or a gearwheel are used to transmit the torque to the centrifuge chamber or the rotating frame. Force is transmitted in a non-contact and wear-free manner. No lubrication is necessary, which also reduces the buildup of dust and dirt. In addition, there is little generation of noise.

Abstract: A water filtration assembly (10) includes a first end cap (34) covering the first end of a housing (12) and a second end cap (36) covering the second end of the housing (12). The end surface (40) of each end cap (34 and 36) has a L-shaped cap recess therein with an axial leg (42) and a transverse leg (44) extending about the end face. A projection (30) at the first end of the housing (12) is disposed in engagement with the cap recess of the first end cap (34) as the end surface (40) of the first end cap (34) abuts the recess end surface (28) at the first end of the housing (12). In the same fashion, a projection (30) at the second end of the housing (12) is disposed in engagement with the cap recess of the second cap (36) as the end surface (40) of the second cap (36) abuts the recess end surface (28) at the second end of the housing (12). The end caps (34 and 36) are formed with a two sided shoulder (46) filling the corner between the axial (42) and transverse (44) legs of the cap recess.

Abstract: A filter is provided for filtering contaminants from a fluid passing through the filter. The filter comprises a silicon substrate having opposing first and second surfaces and a passage extending through it. A first etch resistant material layer is formed on the first substrate surface and includes at least one opening which extends through the first layer and communicates with the substrate passage. A second etch resistant material layer is formed on the second substrate surface and includes a plurality of pores which extend through the second layer and communicate with the substrate passage. The second layer defines a filter layer which filters contaminants from fluid passing through the second layer. A process for forming the filter is also provided.

Abstract: An evaporator comprises a base with a vacuum connection. A tray is fixed to the base, and has seating positions in which to seat pans which hold sample liquid. A transparent cover is attached to the base with a hinge. The cover fits over the tray and when closed forms a tight fit with the base and is in close proximity to the pans. The cover has inlets angled down at about 37° to 42° over each pan seating position such that when a vacuum source is connected to the vacuum connection, air from outside the evaporator is drawn in through the inlets and aimed toward the sample liquid in each pan such that the solvent evaporates. Pans are preferably commercially available pans which are about 70 mm in diameter and about 16 mm in height, and tapered outwardly towards the top. Preferably, the cover has two inlets for each pan, aimed in opposite directions, and on opposite sides of each pan, such that when air strikes the sample liquid it induces a swirling motion.

Abstract: The separation device of the invention is directed to a container having an interior surface defining a channel. The container further has an inlet and an outlet. On the interior surface of the channel are pole tips which may be in a sawtooth configuration having sharp angles facing the interior of the channel that generate a high gradient magnetic field in the channel. Within the channel may be incorporated separating material. The separating material eliminates the direct contact of cells with the magnetic pole material. The separating material, as well as the sawtooth pole tips also serves the purpose of creating a field gradient across the entire container to avoid the problem of zero field gradient in the center of the container where the velocity is greatest, and where more cells flow. The separating material is designed to cause a substantially unobstructed flow of medium through the channel so that unlabeled substances are not trapped in the separating material.

Abstract: A liquid filter assembly comprises a filter cartridge and a filter head in fluid communication with the filter housing. A filter media construction is positioned within the housing. The filter media construction, in combination with the housing, defines an unfiltered liquid volume and a filtered liquid volume. The filter head includes an inlet for conveying liquid to the unfiltered liquid volume, a first outlet for conveying liquid from the filtered liquid volume, and a second outlet. A first valve assembly is provided which is constructed and arranged to selectively permit passage of liquid from the unfiltered liquid volume through the second outlet, in response to a first selected liquid pressure level within the unfiltered liquid volume.

Abstract: A filter device for separating particulate material from a stream of flowable plastics; the device comprises a body member having at least a filter chamber and a flow path extending between inlet and outlet sides. A filter band transversally extends in said filter chamber, across the flow path, being supported by a back-plate having a perforated area. An axially movable valving member comprising a flow passage for the plastic material, is provided into the chamber, and an actuator to axially move the valving member between an advanced and a retracted position in which the valving member connects respectively disconnects the flow passage from the inlet or the outlet sides of the device, and for sealingly clamping the filter band peripherally around the perforated area of the back-plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved separation device in which a plate unit containing the filter comprises a separate abutment ring and a cassette which can be easily connected thereto, said cassette comprising at least one filter together with, if required, a frame belonging thereto so as to support the filter. If the filter consists of a flexible membrane, this is fitted into a special frame. However, if the filter is a rigid self-supporting filter of a porous material, for example, a ceramic filter or the like, a separate frame is not needed to support the filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for mixing a pulp suspension with a fluid medium. The method and the apparatus according to the invention are particularly advantageous when used for mixing different chemicals, both liquid and gaseous, or steam into pulp suspension in the wood processing industry. In the method and the apparatus according to the invention, the pulp suspension and the fluid medium are fed into a mixer casing, mixed therein and removed from the casing, and a freely rotatable mixing rotor with mixing blades, is placed within the casing and turned by means of incoming flow of pulp suspension being in contact with the mixing blades of the rotor.

Abstract: A drum filter comprises a pair of circular disks connected in coaxial relation by a plurality of axially extending disc support rods. A cylindrical filter media is disposed between the disc support rods. Unfiltered liquid is admitted to the interior of the drum filter and flows radially outwardly therefrom through the filter media. Reciprocating backwash nozzles direct high pressure liquid radially inwardly against the exterior surface of the filter media to backwash contaminants collected on the radially inner surface thereof into a contaminant collector disposed internally of the filter drum. The filter media is sealably connected to the circular disks by a novel retention system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spin-on filter (1) for filtering a flowing substance, especially a hydraulic liquid or lubricating oil in combustion motors. The filter (1) comprises a casing (7), open at one end, which is connected to a device assembly (6) including inlet and outlet ducts (4, 5) for the flow to be filtered, and a substantially cylindrical replaceable filter element (12) fitted inside the casing. The flow to be filtered passes through the filter element mantle, either radially-inwardly or radially outwardly. The cylindrical filter element (12) includes an end flange (16), designed such that its outer edge (17) simultaneously acts as a seal for the casing (7) end. The flange (16) can be made by injection-molding plastic in one piece and is equipped with flow openings (18) required for the flow to be filtered and communicating with the inlet or outlet ducts in the device assembly.

Abstract: A filter housing has a pot-like base, a lid that closes the base in a pressure-tight manner, one or several additional elements such as pipes, flanges or the like, which are connected to the wall of the base in the area of the seal between base and lid, and at least one rib which extends radially around the base in this area. The rib has varying dimensions around the circumference of the base and a reduced cross-section in the area in which the additional elements are connected to a wall of the base. The lid and base are directly screwed together by means of matching threads and the variable cross-section of the rib ensures a practically identical rigidity of the base against inner pressure stresses all around its circumference.

Abstract: A U-shaped side of a yoke is mounted on the confronting sides of two rotating plates attached to the inside of a magnetically agglomerating and treating tank, and a plurality of magnets, each having a magnetic force of not less than 12,000 gausses, are mounted on the confronting sides of the yoke, respectively, and the gap between the faces of the confronting magnets is set at 300 mm to form a magnetic field. Liquid containing impurities, such as magnetic and non-magnetic suspensions is caused to flow into this magnetic field for contact with the magnets for a predetermined period of time, so that the non-magnetic suspension is magnetically agglomerated together with the magnetic suspension, so as to be attracted to the magnets, and the magnetically agglomerated matter adhering to the surfaces of the magnets is separated.

Abstract: A materials treatment system which initially separates liquid and solid components with a separator. The system can be advantageously utilized for household sewage handling, however various components have other applications. Once the separator separates the solids and liquids, a fire tube combusts the solids with microwaves. The liquids exiting the separator are treated in a liquid treatment system which includes additional particle filtration/separation, treatment of the liquids with an oxidant liquid, and an ultraviolet treatment. An advantageous microwave cavity assembly is also provided for dehydration/combustion of solids exiting the separator and/or for solids filtered from liquids in the liquid treatment system.

Abstract: A hand portable, field-deployable thin-layer chromatography (TLC) unit and a hand portable, battery-operated unit for development, illumination, and data acquisition of the TLC plates contain many miniaturized features that permit a large number of samples to be processed efficiently. The TLC unit includes a solvent tank, a holder for TLC plates, and a variety of tool chambers for storing TLC plates, solvent, and pipettes. After processing in the TLC unit, a TLC plate is positioned in a collapsible illumination box, where the box and a CCD camera are optically aligned for optimal pixel resolution of the CCD images of the TLC plate. The TLC system includes an improved development chamber for chemical development of TLC plates that prevents solvent overflow.