Abstract: An assembly for handling biological material, including a planar interface having at least one port, and a component retaining element, spaced apart from the planar interface, configured to retain a component for handling biological material, in which at least one component chosen from the planar interface and the component retaining element is moveable to bring the port and the component retaining element into registration with one another. The registration between the at least one port and the component retaining element adapted to form a fluid communication pathway may be provided between a component retained by the component retaining element and a container associated with the planar interface through the port.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for handling biological material, for directly introducing or removing material to, or from, a container, comprising a body comprising at least one resealable port; a cover comprising an aperture and wherein the cover is disposed over an upper side of the body, and wherein the cover is moveable such that an aperture of the cover is configured to expose at least part of the resealable port.

Abstract: Methods for cleaning at least one soiled substrate in a rotatably mounted cylindrical drum of a cleaning apparatus with a multiplicity of solid particles are provided. One method includes the steps of: agitating the at least one soiled substrate in the drum with wash liquor and the multiplicity of solid particles for a first cleaning cycle wherein the wash liquor includes at least one cleaning agent; draining the wash liquor from the cleaning apparatus; and introducing an aqueous non-detergent medium into the cleaning apparatus and agitating the at least one soiled substrate with the multiplicity of solid particles in the drum for a second cleaning cycle. Another method includes rotating the drum such that the at least one soiled substrate moves about a generally circular path and introducing the multiplicity of solid particles into the drum through an annulus defined by the generally circular path as the drum rotates.

Abstract: A method for cleaning at least one soiled substrate in a rotatably mounted cylindrical drum of a cleaning apparatus with a multiplicity of solid particles comprising the steps of: a) agitating said at least one soiled substrate in said drum with wash liquor and said multiplicity of solid particles for a first cleaning cycle wherein said wash liquor comprises at least one cleaning agent; b) draining said wash liquor from said cleaning apparatus; and c) introducing an aqueous non-detergent medium into said cleaning apparatus and agitating said at least one soiled substrate with said multiplicity of solid particles in said drum for a second cleaning cycle.

Abstract: A shredder arrangement comprising a housing defining a feed slot for receiving sheet material inserted by a user; a cutting mechanism for shredding the sheet material inserted through the feed slot, and a protective guard for positioning across the feed slot to prevent relatively rigid sheet material from striking the user during shredding of such sheet material, the guard defining an aperture allowing said sheet material to be inserted through the guard and into the feed slot; wherein the protective guard is moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration to symmetrically adjust the size of the aperture.

Abstract: A shredder arrangement comprising a housing defining a feed slot for receiving sheet material inserted by a user; a cutting mechanism for shredding the sheet material inserted through the feed slot, and a protective guard for positioning across the feed slot to prevent relatively rigid sheet material from striking the user during shredding of such sheet material, the guard defining an aperture allowing said sheet material to be inserted through the guard and into the feed slot; wherein the protective guard is moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration to symmetrically adjust the size of the aperture.

Abstract: The improvements relate to shredders for paper and the like having a shredding mechanism with an opening through which shredded material passes out of the shredding mechanism, a compactor plate located beneath the shredding mechanism and including an opening, and a base, wherein the shredder has a waste bag support mechanism of which the compactor plate forms a part. The waste bag support mechanism is secured to the underside of the shredding mechanism towards the rear thereof for pivotal movement between an operating position in which an upper part of the waste bag support mechanism is close to the underside of the shredding mechanism, and a bag removal position in which the upper part of the waste bag support mechanism is pivoted downwards at its front away from the shredding mechanism.

Abstract: A compression device, adapted for use with a shredder having an output aperture from which shredded material is output, comprising first and second compression plates, each compression plate adapted for attachment at the output aperture of the shredder, and each being pivotably moveable between respective first positions in which the compression plates act to impede the flow of the shredded material away from the output aperture of the shredder, to respective second positions in which the shredded material is allowed to flow away from the output aperture of the shredder, between the compression plates, wherein the free ends of the compression plates, remote from their attachment at the output aperture of the shredder, are biased towards each other by respective resilient members.

Abstract: A compacting device, adapted for use with a receptacle for the collection of shredded material output from a shredder, the compacting device comprising a plate provided with an aperture, fixed relative to the receptacle, such that shredded material output from the shredder passes through the aperture of the plate and is collected in the receptacle and as collection of the shredded material within the receptacle progresses the compacting device acts to compact the material. The compacting device may act to compact the shredded material by compression of the material between bottom and sides of the receptacle and the plate as collection of the material progresses. As the receptacle starts to fill up with shredded material, the material pushes against the plate, and as the plate is fixed relative to the receptacle, this acts to compact the material.

Abstract: A mouthguard (10) is described for use by a patient undergoing a medical procedure which involves passing an endoscope or similar instrument into the patient's mouth. The mouthguard (10) comprises a rigid tubular mouthpiece (12) formed integrally with a flexible restraining strap (14) which is dimensioned to encircle a patient's head. Fastening means (22, 24) are provided at one end of the strap (14) which can be fitted over one of a plurality of openings (26) in the other end of the strap (14) to secure the device in place comfortably.