Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical seal that may control the pressure between sliding faces of sliding rings in the mechanical seal portion and also clean and sterilize the sliding faces reliably, and an agitating device and process using the mechanical seal. The rotary ring rotatable together with the revolving shaft and the fixed ring disposed opposite to said rotary ring on the agitating tank side include controlling mechanisms for controlling the pressure or the gap between both sliding faces respectively. Said controlling mechanism is a piston placed within the cylinder provided in the casing, and positive or negative pressure is applied through said piston to the fixed ring for control of the pressure between the sliding faces by changing the pressure of fluid such as air supplied into the cylinder. In cleaning and sterilizing operations, negative pressure is used to open the gap between the sliding faces to allow passage of cleaning liquid or steam for sterilization between both sliding faces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing microcapsules (fat emulsion or liposome) of high stability and smaller mean particle size with a smaller energy and in a shorter treating time. Prior to dispersing a phospholipid treating liquid in a high speed rotary dispersing machine, a treating tank of the high speed rotary dispersing machine is filled up with only the treating liquid. Dispersion of the treating liquid is conducted by rotating at high speed while the treating tank is pressurized to reduce cavitation generation. For precision dispersion of this treating liquid, it is transferred into a precision dispersion apparatus, such as high pressure homogenizer, without contacting with a gas phase. The method reduces the mean particle size of the microcapsules to increase their stability for a long time period.