Abstract: A portable apparatus that can be used in a laboratory or at the inspection site in connection with detecting airborne asbestos which employs an acetone vapor clearing technique for cellulose ester filters exposed to airborne asbestos fibers. A metered quantity of acetone is applied to a flash vaporization chamber for each filter tested and the vapor is ducted to the filter to give an even and rapid clearing of the filter while limiting the generation of highly flammable vapors to reduce the risk of fire. This apparatus is in conformance with requirements specified in NIOSH Method 7400.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing particulate agglomerating solids in accordance with the invention includes a container for holding the particulate solids to be dispensed having a foraminous discharge disposed at the bottom of the container; apparatus for applying agitation to the particulate solids within the container to break up agglomerations to cause the solid to be free flowing through the foraminous discharge; a transporting mechanism disposed beneath the discharge with a top surface along which the solids flow from a receiving area upon which the solids fall upon the application of agitation to the solids to a discharge area having an end from which the solids are discharged, the top surface being substantially flat at the receiving area and being sloped downward from the receiving area to the discharge area; apparatus for applying vibrations to the transporting mechanism for causing the solids to flow from the receiving area to the discharge area; and a controller for causing the activation of the apparat

Abstract: An apparatus for precisely dispensing free flowing particulate solids with a controllable variable flow rate is disclosed. The invention includes a container for holding a free flowing solid to be dispensed which is pivotable through an angular range of inclination, a transporting mechanism connected to the container, which includes two segments intersecting to define an angle, for transporting particles from the container to a discharge end. The angle causes the particles disposed within the conduit to form a bridge for stopping the flow of particles when the container is inclined at an angle less than the angle at which gravity causes free flow of the powder through the conduit. A vibrator selectively applies vibrations to the particles with an energy level sufficient to cause the bridge to break apart to cause the particles to be free flowing from the container through the transporting mechanism in response to the application of the vibrations.

Abstract: The invention is a tool for use in grasping yarn during the making of needlepoint with a mesh having openings through which yarn is stitched including a handle having first and second ends located on a longitudinal axis; a member extending from the first end of the handle along the longitudinal axis; and a yarn grasping head joined to an end of the member at a position remote from the first end of the handle, the yarn grasping head having first and second bifurcations extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the bifurcations respectively having first and second ends and being joined together at one end to form a vertex for grasping yarn in the vertex, the bifurcations being spaced apart from each other by a substantially constant distance along the longitudinal axis except in proximity to the vertex to form an opening through which yarn can pass for grasping within the vertex, each bifurcation being deflectable to permit deflection toward the other bifurcation when engaging an opening in the mesh

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for making solutions of chemicals of specified molarity, normality, molality or weight percentage corrected, as necessary, for water of hydration in the solute. By means of an input-output device using a programmed instruction format, the desired chemical, the type of solution wanted, its concentration, and its volume are specified. An electronic balance with TARE capability repeatedly produces an output signal of the weight W of solute plus any solvent within a container in which the solution is to be mixed less the weight of the container. Apparatus are provided for calculating and storing the weight TW which is the total weight of the solute plus solvent which will result in a solution of the type and concentration of solution specified for the amount of solute placed on the balance. If the total volume of solution of the desired type and concentration of solution is specified, apparatus are provided for determining the amount of solute required.

Abstract: A multi chambered slide is disclosed having a base plate, a plurality of spaced apart boundaries attached to the base plate, each contiguous pair of boundaries defining an area within which a liquid sample may be contained, each boundary having a pair of spaced apart elements between which is defined a boundary zone for containing any sample that may leak from the area defined by a pair of boundaries, each element being of substantially uniform thickness and being coated with an adhesive and a cover plate attached to the spaced apart elements of the boundaries to define a plurality of volumetric chambers into which liquid samples may be introduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for making dilutions of a sample with a diluent to a predetermined dilution factor f by weight of the diluent is disclosed. A scale with TARE capability produces an output signal of the weight W of a sample within a container less the weight of the container. A dilution factor control is provided for setting the predetermined dilution factor f. Apparatus is provided for calculating and storing the value TW=W/f which is the total weight of the sample plus the weight of the diluent which is required to dilute the sample to the predetermined dilution factor f. A pump is connected between a reservoir of diluent and the container for the sample for pumping the amount of diluent into the container which is required to dilute the sample to the predetermined weight dilution factor f. The scale provides a continuous output of the weight W of the sample plus diluent in the container at any instant in time. Apparatus is provided for calculating when TW-W=0.

Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of an unknown bacterial solution using only a single bacterial growth plate for the determination. The method comprises depositing a varying amount of bacterial solution on the surface of a solidified agar plate by continuously varying the amount of solution deposited in the shape of a spiral on the agar which is in a rotating Petri dish. Thus, a higher concentration of bacteria per unit length occurs at the center of the spiral and a decreasing concentration per unit length at the edge of the plate. The plate is then incubated and the colonies in a predetermined area of the plate are counted in order to determine the concentration of the unknown solution. The bacterial colonies in a predetermined area may be counted by interrupting a light or laser beam incident to a photodiode, the light being interrupted by the presence of a bacterial colony.