Abstract: The invention relates to a device for stirring a liquid in a reactor and for injecting a gas into the said liquid in order to form a gas-liquid dispersion, comprising a) a drive device (1) positioned above the reactor, provided with a vertical output shaft (2) fitted at its lower end with at least one axial flow rotor (4) immersed in the liquid, b) means for introducing gas (3 and 7) above the axial flow rotor (4), c) a deflector (5) placed above the axial flow rotor (4) preventing the gas-liquid dispersion from rising, and d) a deflector (6) placed below the axial flow rotor (4) converting the axial flow of the said axial flow rotor into a radial flow. This device may be used in shallow basins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for stirring a liquid in a reactor and for injecting a gas into the said liquid in order to form a gas-liquid dispersion, comprising a) a drive device (1) positioned above the reactor, provided with a vertical output shaft (2) fitted at its lower end with at least one axial flow rotor (4) immersed in the liquid, b) means for introducing gas (3 and 7) above the axial flow rotor (4), c) a deflector (5) placed above the axial flow rotor (4) preventing the gas-liquid dispersion from rising, and d) a deflector (6) placed below the axial flow rotor (4) converting the axial flow of the said axial flow rotor into a radial flow. This device may be used in shallow basins.

Abstract: The invention relates to equipment for area-based surface treatment of an article by electric dielectric barrier discharge in the presence of a non-atmospheric controlled gaseous mixture, comprising a hollow metal electrode enabling the gaseous mixture to circulate therewithin and the mixture to be transported to a discharge area, whereby said electrode is divided into individual elements which can each be pivoted about a central axis to ensure sufficient distance between the element which is considered as being pivoted and the area of the article opposite the element in question so that the discharge cannot develop; the central pivoting axis is used as a channel for the circulation of the gaseous mixture inside the electrode and is provided with openings enabling the gaseous mixture to be evacuated to the discharge area; pivoting one of the elements of the electrodes blocks up the evacuating opening associated therewith and the gaseous mixture can only be evacuated via the evacuating openings of non-pivoted

Abstract: A fibrous structure testable in a series of run-off tests, wherein each run-off test includes exposing the fibrous structure to a volume of a test solution and the fibrous structure initially is hydrophobic and has been treated to be hydrophilic, wherein the fibrous structure exhibits a run-off level that is less than 5 percent by weight throughout a series of run-off tests, and wherein the series starts with a first run-off test and ends with a fifth run-off test.

Abstract: The invention relates to equipment for area-based surface treatment of an article by electric dielectric barrier discharge in the presence of a non-atmospheric controlled gaseous mixture, comprising a hollow metal electrode enabling the gaseous mixture to circulate therewithin and the mixture to be transported to a discharge area, whereby said electrode is divided into individual elements which can each be pivoted about a central axis to ensure sufficient distance between the element which is considered as being pivoted and the area of the article opposite the element in question so that the discharge cannot develop; the central pivoting axis is used as a channel for the circulation of the gaseous mixture inside the electrode and is provided with openings enabling the gaseous mixture to be evacuated to the discharge area; pivoting one of the elements of the electrodes blocks up the evacuating opening associated therewith and the gaseous mixture can only be evacuated via the evacuating openings of non-pivoted

Abstract: Methods for treating polymeric substrates by placing the substrate in a gaseous mixture and subjecting it to a dielectric barrier electrical discharge. The gaseous mixture, which has a pressure around atmospheric, contains a carrier gas, a reducing gas and an oxidizing gas. The amount of the oxidizing gas in the gas mixture is between about 50 ppm and about 2000 ppm by volume, while the amount of the reducing gas in the gas mixture is between about 50 ppm and 30000 ppm by volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for stirring a liquid in a reactor and for injecting a gas into the said liquid in order to form a gas-liquid dispersion, comprising a) a drive device (1) positioned above the reactor, provided with a vertical output shaft (2) fitted at its lower end with at least one axial flow rotor (4) immersed in the liquid, b) means for introducing gas (3 and 7) above the axial flow rotor (4), c) a deflector (5) placed above the axial flow rotor (4) preventing the gas-liquid dispersion from rising, and d) a deflector (6) placed below the axial flow rotor (4) converting the axial flow of the said axial flow rotor into a radial flow. This device may be used in shallow basins.

Abstract: A fibrous structure is described for use in hygienic articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence guards, wipes and the like, having one or more polar, silicon containing compounds bound to at least one portion of the surface of the fibrous structure by interaction between the surface and the silicon containing compounds. The fibrous structure exhibits a predetermined degree of hydrophilicity and adhesion properties which are substantially unaffected by wetting of the fibrous structure. Absorbent, hygienic and textile articles comprising such a fibrous structure are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fibrous structure, being testable in a series of run-off tests, wherein each run-off test comprises exposing said fibrous structure to a volume of a test solution and said fibrous structure initially is hydrophobic and has been treated to be hydrophilic. wherein said fibrous structure exhibits a run-off level that is less than 5 percent by weight throughout a series of run-off tests, wherein the series starts with a first run-off test and ends with a fifth run-off test, use of said fibrous structure, tissue product and nonwoven material made of said fibrous structure. Further, it relates to an absorbent article comprising at least one of said fibrous structure and to use of said absorbent article.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the surface treatment of polymeric substrates whereby the substrate is subjected to a dielectric barrier electrical discharge, in a gaseous mixture comprising a carrier gas, and a reducing and/or oxidising gas, at a pressure substantially equal to atmospheric pressure. The invention is characterised in that it comprises the following implementing conditions: when the mixture comprises an oxidising gas, the oxidising gas content in the mixture ranges between 50 to 2000 ppm by volume; when the mixture comprises a reducing gas, the reducing gas content in the mixture ranges between 50 to 30000 ppm by volume.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for performing chemical reactions between gaseous species in accordance with a selective reaction path, by generating an electric discharge (12) in a starting gas between two energizing electrodes (23, 24) whereto is applied an electric supply voltage, so that the discharge brings about energization of at least one of the gaseous species of said starting gas. The invention is characterised in that it consists in providing the following: the starting gas includes at least a carrier gas and at least a reaction gas; the conditions of electric supply of the electrodes are adapted to enable the generation of metastable species among the species of said carrier gas, so that the ratio, in the inter-electrode space, between the concentration in said metastable species and the concentration in electrons is not less than 1.

Abstract: Optimization of an installation in which an operation is performed that requires control over the atmosphere inside a chamber (3), the operation being performed in the presence of a gaseous mixture capable of giving off emissions, the optimization being obtained by the presence of inlet (5) and outlet (8) devices external to the chamber to oppose the ingress of air into the chamber and the exit of gaseous emissions; and of an extraction device (4) comprising means (42) for regulating the flow rate to maintain an approximately zero pressure differential between the inside and the outside of the chamber.

Abstract: A portable device for administering a gas. The device can supply at least one nostril of a user with at least part of a gas. The device includes at least one gas distribution nozzle and a support, with which the at least one gas distribution nozzle is supported or held in position on the face of the user. The at least one gas distribution nozzle is held along at least part of the outer wall or surface of the nose or cheeks of the user, when the device is positioned on the head or the face of the user. The at least one nozzle is outside the user's nostrils.

Abstract: Optimization of an installation in which an operation is performed that requires control over the atmosphere inside a chamber (3), the operation being performed in the presence of a gaseous mixture capable of giving off emissions, the optimization being obtained by the presence of inlet (5) and outlet (8) devices external to the chamber to oppose the ingress of air into the chamber and the exit of gaseous emissions; and of an extraction device (4) comprising means (42) for regulating the flow rate to maintain an approximately zero pressure differential between the inside and the outside of the chamber.

Abstract: This method for surface treatment with a plasma at atmospheric pressure comprises the step of introducing a treatment gas into a treatment reactor (16), in which a surface (14) to be treated is placed between two exciting electrodes (22, 24), and applying a supply voltage to the two electrodes so as to cause the appearance of a discharge (12) in the treatment gas. The supply voltage is an AC voltage whose amplitude and frequency are adapted in order to maintain at least some of the components of the treatment gas in the excited state, and/or the presence of electrons, between two successive half-cycles of the supply voltage.

Abstract: A process for the surface treatment of a running substrate by an electrical discharge created between two roller electrodes, comprising a first roller electrode and a second roller electrode, in a gas mixture comprising the steps of passing the substrate in between the two roller electrodes by applying it against the first roller electrode; injecting the gas mixture between the rollers to apply a first surface treatment to the substrate; passing the substrate in between the two roller electrodes by applying it against a second roller electrode; and injecting the gas mixture between the rollers to apply a second surface treatment to the substrate.

Abstract: Method for creating an electric discharge in an initial gas which is at atmospheric pressure and lies between two exciting electrodes, comprising applying a supply voltage to the two electrodes which is an AC voltage whose amplitude and frequency are adapted in order to maintain (1) at least a portion of the components of the gas in the excited state, and/or (2) the presence of electrons, between two successive half-cycles of the supply voltage.

Abstract: Device for the surface treatment of a substrate (3) by an electrical discharge between two electrodes in a gas mixture liable to generate by-products (powders, for example) which may be deposited on the electrodes, in which device one (9) of the electrodes is a roller against which the substrate may be applied, means being provided for rotating the roller and the substrate and for injecting the gas mixture between the electrodes, the device being noteworthy in that the second electrode is a roller electrode (11) against which the running substrate may also be applied, this roller (11) being placed parallel to the other roller (9) with a suitable gap. By virtue of this arrangement, the substrate (3) protects each electrode (11) and prevents it from being covered with powder during the treatment, as well as preventing the corresponding contamination, thereby allowing the device to operate continuously.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a final gaseous mixture containing a carrier gas, an oxidizing gas and a silane, with a predetermined content of each of the three gaseous components, comprising the preparation of a primary gaseous mixture containing a neutral gas and the said silane, the silane content of the primary gaseous mixture being below the self-ignition limit of that particular silane in air, and the preparation of a mixture between the primary gaseous mixture and a stream of the said carrier gas and, if appropriate, of [sic] a stream of the said oxidizing gas, in proportions which make it possible to obtain the required final mixture, the mixing being carried out under dynamic conditions.

Abstract: Process for the production of a final gaseous mixture comprising a carrier gas, an oxidizing gas and a silane, with a predetermined content of each of the three gaseous components, comprising the steps of: a) preparing a primary gaseous mixture comprising a neutral gas and the silane, wherein the silane is present in the primary gaseous mixture at a content below a self-ignition limit of that particular silane in air; b) providing a first gas stream, comprising the carrier gas and a controlled residual content of the oxidizing gas; c) preparing the final mixture according to one or other of the following two procedures, as a function of the residual content of oxidizing gas in the gas stream comprising the carrier gas: P1: mixing the first gas stream with a second stream of the primary gaseous mixture and with a third stream of the oxidizing gas in proportions which make it possible to obtain the final mixture, the addition of the oxidizing gas stream being carried out under dynamic conditions; P2: mixin