Abstract: A filling process for filling an analytic liquid in a container is optically accurately and automatically carried out using a laser beam. An automatic filling system is capable of automatically and continuously cleaning and drying the container in pretreating processes prior to an analysis.

Abstract: A method of producing bioactive ceramics containing apatite crystal useful for artificial tooth roots or artificial bones, which comprises the steps of(i) reacting (A) at least one type of silicic acid ester such as tetramethoxysilane or tetraethoxysilane; (B) at least one type of phosphorus compound represented by general formula (II), (III), or (V): ##STR1## (where each of R.sub.5 to R.sub.9 is hydrogen, an alkyl group, with 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a phenyl radical, or an aralkyl group with 7 to 10 carbon atoms in which at least one of R.sub.10 to R.sub.12 is hydrogen, and m: 0 type 10); and (C) at least one water soluble calcium salt, the reaction being carried out in the presence of water at at pH of not higher than 8 to prepare a gel; and(ii) sintering the resulting gel to obtain the bioactive ceramics containing not less than 5 wt% of apatite and not more than 2wt% of Na compound as NA.sub.2 O.

Abstract: A process for preparing a glass or glass-ceramic composite sintered body by a sol-gel method comprises reacting(A) at least one silicic acid ester represented by the general formula (I). ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 to R.sub.4 are each hydrogen or a group represented by Chd xH.sub.2x+1 (OC.sub.2 H.sub.4).sub.y - wherein x is 1 to 5, and y is 0 to 10, provided that R.sub.1 to R.sub.4 are not all hydrogen at the same time, and n is 0 to 20;(B) at least one phosphorus compound represented by the general formula (II), (III) or (IV): ##STR2## wherein R.sub.5 to R.sub.9 are each hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a phenyl group or an aralkyl group having 7 to 10 carbon atoms, and m is 0 to 10; and(C) at least one compound selected from the group consisiting of calcium salts and calcium coumpounds represented by the general formula (V)Ca(OR.sub.10).sub.2 (V)wherein R.sub.

Abstract: An oral composition contains as a surface-active agent 0.1 to 5% by weight of a fatty acid ester of a sugar alcohol selected from the group consisting of lactitol, maltitol, maltotriitol, maltotetraitol, maltopentaitol, maltohexaitol, maltoheptaitol and mixtures thereof. The ester has an acyl group with 8 to 20 carbon atoms such as lauroyl. The oral composition which may be applicable as toothpaste, toothpowder, mouthwashes and the like has a pleasant taste as well as a good foaming power.