Abstract: A waste liquid treatment system includes a plurality of flow control elements presenting a plurality of waste liquid flow control surfaces. A biofilm covers at least some of the waste liquid flow control surfaces. The flow control surfaces are adapted and constructed to produce alternating venturis and variable speed votices as waste liquid flows through the flow control elements. In an embodiment, each of the flow control elements comprises a series of fins and vanes forming the water flow control surfaces. Each of the flow control elements can include an inner member having a longitudinal axis, with a plurality of vanes extending radially from the longitudinal axis. A cylindrical outer member can be provided surrounding the inner member, the cylindrical outer member having an outer surface including a plurality of radially projecting longitudinal fins formed thereon. In a specific embodiment, the inner member has eight vanes, and the cylindrical outer member is provided with four fins.

Abstract: A band clamping device for a machine wrapping or strapping a band, strip or the like about piece goods, such as boxes, containers, packages, crates and so forth, especially a plastic band or strip, comprising a stationary clamping jaw and a movable clamping jaw guided for movement towards and away from the stationary clamping jaw. The movable clamping jaw is articulated at an end hinge of a first element of a toggle lever, a second element of which can be pivoted by means of a drive about a further end hinge. Both clamping jaws possess essentially flat clamping surfaces intended to engage at the band and to hold such against the action of a tension or traction force. The connection line between the hinge points of the toggle lever together with the clamping surface of the clamping jaws enclose an acute angle open in the direction of the tension or traction force and the guide of the movable clamping jaw is elastically resilient in such direction.