Barrier Opening With Flexible Seal For Operator Patents (Class 312/1)
  • Patent number: 5520449
    Abstract: An asbestos glove bag comprised of a glove bag having a zip-loc closure within an interior surface of the glove bag. A pair of arm and glove sleeves are secured to the interior surface of the glove bag. A flap portion is secured to the glove bag adjacent to an open top thereof. The flap portion has tab portions extending outwardly therefrom. The flap portion and tab portions have a pressure sensitive adhesive strip thereon. The pressure sensitive adhesive strip has a peel off film removably coupled therewith. The flap portion secures over the open top of the glove bag with the pressure sensitive adhesive engaging the front wall of the glove bag and the tab portions engaging the rear wall of the glove bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventor: Joseph V. Klak
  • Patent number: 5464286
    Abstract: A dust and debris collection system for suspended ceiling tiles made up of a slightly cylindrical shaped plastic bag (10) having a rounded drawstring (14) opening at one end and a rectangular opening at the top end which is attached to adhesive tape strips (12). The dust and debris collection system is connected to a suspended ceiling tile grid at the top rectangular end by means of adhesive tape strips (12) and the drawstring (14) is snugged to the waist of a worker inside the bag (10) while he/she is working above the ceiling and will catch any falling dust or debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Inventors: Sidney V. Stevens, Deborah S. Stevens, Ronald Bowker
  • Patent number: 5461971
    Abstract: An onion peeling device comprised of a shield having an open lower end and a rounded upper end. The open lower end has a slot formed therein extending upwardly therefrom. The slot has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion has a width greater than the lower portion. The slot forms edges on opposing sides thereof. The shield is adapted to receive an onion within the open lower end thereof. The shield serves to protect a user's eyes from juices produced when slicing the onion. A rubber strip is secured to the edges of the slot of the shield. The rubber strip is adapted to secure a knife blade within the slot to be used on an onion within the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Cecil B. Brooks
  • Patent number: 5460439
    Abstract: A sealed system is provided for facilitating the transfer of material through a port in a barrier wall separating two different environments without contamination of the cleaner of the two environments by the dirtier. The system includes a door closing a port in the barrier wall in leak-proof sealed engagement. A transfer medium for containing or receiving the material to be transferred through the port is provided with a removable cover in leak-proof sealed engagement within a transfer medium ring connectable in leak-proof sealed engagement with a stationary ring defining the passage through the barrier wall which is closed by the door. Sealing rings are provided between the door and transfer medium cover, and between the transfer medium ring and stationary ring to ensure against passage of contaminants from one environment to the other. For certain pharmaceutical applications, a heating element is provided in the stationary ring to sterilize the interfaces between abutting parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Carleton E. Jennrich, Richard H. Adams, Rudolph O. Marohl
  • Patent number: 5457922
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a containment box for use during window frame removal or other building structure modification to prevent toxic material from entering the environment; and particularly inhabited areas of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Mark C. Fara
  • Patent number: 5441708
    Abstract: A coved corner facility for providing a sealed work area to handle, manipulate and formulate materials which includes a walled enclosure having a plurality of mutually adjoining generally planar walls which define a work area. The planar portions of at least a plurality of mutually adjoining pairs of the walls intersect at angles of less than about 135.degree.. Each of the plurality of adjoining pairs of the walls are connected by preformed generally arcuate transition areas extending continuously between the planar portions of the adjoining pairs of walls. An inlet port in the walled enclosure is provided for allowing air to flow into the work area. An outlet port is provided in the walled enclosure for allowing air to flow out of the work area. An air flow control device causes air to flow through the inlet port into the work area and out of the enclosure work area through the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventors: Anthony M. Diccianni, Eric A. Diccianni
  • Patent number: 5380078
    Abstract: Retractable clean room or glove box gloves are described in which the retractable property is imparted by a series of longitudinal elastic strips located in the sleeve of the glove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Carole A. Baczkowski, Margaret A. Goldwater, Celia R. Ingram, Douglas B. McKenna, Evelyn C. Yurcovic
  • Patent number: 5380077
    Abstract: Machining device for machining precision, in particular dental, workpieces in a machining chamber surrounded by a housing.In a machining device for machining precision, in particular dental, workpieces in a machining chamber surrounded by a housing, having an inspection window with two gripping holes arranged to the two sides of the inspection window, a mounting for a glove or sleeve being arranged in the edge regions of each hole, the mounting has two coaxial clamping rings insertable one into the other, of which the one clamping ring is affixed to the housing in the region of the associated hole edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Kaltenbach & Voigt GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Georg Puschner, Herbert Lott
  • Patent number: 5343885
    Abstract: A vacuum air lock assembly for transferring an article into an enclosure for treating the article with a solvent, the enclosure including a door for admitting the article into or out of the enclosure, the assembly including a chamber mounted on the enclosure and having an outer door, the chamber being sealed to the enclosure for transferring the article from the chamber through the enclosure door into the enclosure, a vacuum pump for drawing a vacuum in the chamber and discharging the air to atmosphere, the chamber being connected to the enclosure to break the vacuum in the chamber with solvent vapor from the enclosure, the article is transferred into the enclosure through the enclosure door for treatment and returned to the chamber after treatment, and the solvent vapor in the chamber is returned to the enclosure chamber through the vacuum pump and the vacuum in the chamber is broken to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventor: David C. H. Grant
  • Patent number: 5342121
    Abstract: An impermeable barrier and self-contained environment for manipulation, transport and storage of biohazardous materials is disclosed. It is formed of tubular flexible sheeting, opaque or transparent, or a combination thereof, fitted with gloved tubular sleeves and optional iris-type access ports for access to the materials contained within the device. The particular gloves used on the tubular sleeves depend upon the procedures intended. Optional gloves are surgical-quality, examination-quality or heavy-duty. The iris ports for access permit necessary bulky equipment to be passed into the field. The closure of the containment is taped, heat sealed or fitted with a reusable seal such as a ZIPLOC.RTM. type seal. Optional pouches assist in performing the procedures. A pack of disposable tools or instruments and chemicals such as disinfectants and embalments permit an infectious cadaver to be sealed at the site of an accident, transported to an autopsy site, then transported to a morgue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Inventor: Brian Koria
  • Patent number: 5322095
    Abstract: A filling plant for filling bags with hazardous bulk or fluid media is designed to ensure that the medium to be filled is proportioned and packaged under clean room conditions in a bag filling plant at the outlet of a production plant for the hazardous medium. The outlet opening of the production plant communicates with a hermetically sealable container into which the hazardous medium can pass and in which the filling plant and a bag to be filled are disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Alfred Bolz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Volker Bolz
  • Patent number: 5316733
    Abstract: A clean box in which the rubber arms and hands may slide laterally relative to the remainder of the box. A first rigid plastic sheet has ovals passing through it. A second rigid plastic sheet, in front of the first, has circular openings on which the rubberized arm and hand gloves attach. The circular openings' diameter approximately equals the smaller dimension of the ovals on the first sheet of plastic. Resin strips provide an air seal along the upper and lower edges of the sliding first sheet of plastic. Wiper blades attached to the edges of the moving sheet complete the seal between the two sheets of plastic. A worker, with his hands and arms in the gloves and needing to reach a distant point in the clean box, may simply push against the edge of the openings for the gloves. The sheet of plastic will then move in the direction in which pushed. The clean box may have entirely rigid transparent sides to allow for a clear view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Piper Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon H. Rune, Bruce A. Wojtysiak
  • Patent number: 5299243
    Abstract: The invention relates to a glove holder unit for a confinement enclosure.The aim of the invention is to produce a unit making it possible to easily change a protective glove for the hand.This aim is achieved with the aid of a glove holder unit having a sleeve (11), for protecting the arm and the forearm, assembled to a working glove (15), protecting the hand, and placed in an enclosure. The glove holder unit comprises means (49) for locking an assembly means (17) of the glove (15) and the protective sleeve (11). The locking means (49) being mobile between a locked position, in which they maintain the assembly means (17) and the glove (15) outside the enclosure (1) and an unlocked position in which they allow the passage of the glove (15) and its assembly means (17) between the interior and the exterior of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Cogema-Compagnie Generale Des Matieres Nucleaires
    Inventor: Bernard Picco
  • Patent number: 5295771
    Abstract: A device for preventing contamination of a clean room during a drilling or cutting operation. A box-like chamber is provided for containing a power driven tool such as a drill. One wall of the chamber includes an opening for access to the workpiece (e.g. a wall to be cut or drilled). Another wall includes an access port with a rubber glove for operating the power tool. A pigtail electrical outlet within the chamber provides electrical power to the tool. A similar chamber may be used on an opposite side of the wall being drilled in the event it must be kept clean also. Both chambers include a port for attachment to a vacuum source such as a conventional vacuum cleaner and a port for entry of air to divert debris away from the workpiece and into the vacuum cleaner. In another embodiment, a small enclosure is clamped to the body of a drill or similar tool. The enclosure includes a vacuum port for removal of the debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Wehrmann, Henry J. Thomas, James Perrin, Ernest H. Sierra, Jr., Robert C. Wegmann
  • Patent number: 5275479
    Abstract: The invention permits the transfer between two containers of an object without the latter being in contact with the atmosphere around the containers. The system comprises two doors (12, 22) joined tightly to one another in such a way that the outer faces (13, 23) of these doors are positioned facing one another during opening, e.g. by winding the same around a drum (21). These doors are constituted by two flexible curtains sliding in lateral carriages. The system is particularly applicable to the production of semiconductor wafers or slices in an ultraclean atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Didier Cruz, Claude Doche
  • Patent number: 5271668
    Abstract: An isolation enclosure and a group of isolation enclosures useful when a relatively large containment area is required. The enclosure is in the form of a ring having a section removed so that a technician may enter the center area of the ring. In a preferred embodiment, an access zone is located in the transparent wall of the enclosure and extends around the inner perimeter of the ring so that a technician can insert his hands into the enclosure to reach any point within. The inventive enclosures provide more containment area per unit area of floor space than conventional material isolation enclosures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: David O. Carlson
  • Patent number: 5259812
    Abstract: The clean room, which exceeds the Class 100 standards, constructed out of structural materials that are free of metal, in particular aluminum. The room is sterile and allows for a variety of manipulations to be performed including sensitive analysis steps. Intrinsic aluminum and most metal contamination is eliminated by constructing the clean room with aluminum free structural materials. Extrinsic contamination is prevented by following standard clean room procedures in a two-door positive pressure entry system under a single self-motorized ULPA filtered air flow. Analysis of samples is conducted under a vertical laminar ULPA filtered air flow at at least a Class 10 limit particle concentration standard. In addition, a clean room containment center wherein samples are prepared and processed inside a modular containment center that is under a negative pressure allowing a horizontal laminar ULPA filtered air flow that provides a Class 1 limit particle concentration rating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Inventor: Don A. Kleinsek
  • Patent number: 5257957
    Abstract: A facility for providing a sealed work area to handle, manipulate and formulate materials which includes a walled enclosure having an interior periphery defining a work area. The enclosure includes an inlet port for allowing air to flow into the enclosure work area and an outlet port for allowing air to flow out of the enclosure work area. A replaceable liner is positioned within the enclosure work area in facing relationship with the interior periphery to further define the enclosure work area. The liner includes an inlet aperture in complementary sealed engagement with the inlet port and an outlet aperture in complementary sealed engagement with the outlet port. The liner is readily removable from the work area to be replaced with a second liner to facilitate decontamination of the work area. A blower causes air to flow through the inlet port into the enclosure work area and out of the enclosure work area through the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Inventors: Anthony M. Diccianni, Eric A. Diccianni
  • Patent number: 5222511
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing dust-containing or hazardous material from bags includes a vertical bag feeding chute having one or more vertically disposed knife blades fixed (no moving mechanical parts) in the chute to slice open the bag as it falls through the chute. The sliced bag is caught in a downwardly angled perforated basket disposed below the bag feeding chute where an operator operating through a glove box removes solid material from the interior of the sliced bag after most of the bag contents have fallen through the perforated receiving basket and into a mixing tank. The apparatus is particularly useful for debagging acrylamide monomer in the production of polyacrylamide homopolymers and copolymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Diatec Environmental
    Inventors: Alan R. Mikkelsen, Edwin T. Sortwell
  • Patent number: 5219215
    Abstract: Clean benches each providing a sealed work space can be connected together in a row to form a modular system such that objects on pallets can be transported concurrently back and forth from one to another of connected benches through sealed doorways. The pallets have a translucent bottom and lamps are provided below their paths such that the objects thereon can be clearly silhouetted. Each bench is provided with a driving mechanism for a robotic gripper arm such that various tools can be used to automatically perform different tasks in the work space. The main frame of each bench forms a closed air circulating system for providing an air flow through the work space, and fans of different power are arranged in its path such that the air pressure tends to be higher in the work space than elsewhere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Intelmatec Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Akagawa, Mark A. Lykam
  • Patent number: 5205624
    Abstract: An enclosure similar to a glovebox for isolating materials from the atmosphere, yet allowing a technician to manipulate the materials and also apparatus which is located inside the enclosure. A portion of a wall of the enclosure is comprised of at least one flexible curtain. An opening defined by a frame is provided for the technician to insert his hands and forearms into the enclosure. The frame is movable in one plane, so that the technician has access to substantially all of the working interior of the enclosure. As the frame is moved by the technician, while he accomplishes work inside the enclosure, the curtain moves such that the only opening through the enclosure wall is the frame. In a preferred embodiment, where a negative pressure is maintained inside the enclosure, the frame is comprised of airfoils so that turbulence is reduced, thereby enhancing material retention within the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Calvin J. Martell, Joel W. Dahlby, Bradford F. Gallimore, Bob E. Comer, Water A. Stone, David O. Carlson
  • Patent number: 5198523
    Abstract: A glove box includes a housing having an opening formed therein. A bag is disposed on the housing covering the opening. The bag is single-layered and formed of a weldable thermoplastic polyurethane with physically reversibly cross-linked fusible molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Siegfried Baumann, Wolfgang Dams, Werner Wegner
  • Patent number: 5170027
    Abstract: A glove box for establishing an inert gas working environment. The glove box has a housing defining a work chamber and a stovepipe section. Flexible glove sections are connected to the housing and can be inserted into the work chamber. A valve is connected to the stovepipe section for exiting gas from the work chamber and stovepipe section. The valve includes a rigid member with a seal connected thereto. The rigid member is biased by elastic members onto the stovepipe section with the seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Jeneric/Pentron Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Brodersen
  • Patent number: 5147242
    Abstract: A hazardous waste removal assembly includes a generally rectangular flexible bag having a front panel and a back panel joined at a lower portion of the bag to form a collection chamber. The bag is sealed such that it is impermeable to dust and other particulate matter. The assembly also includes at least one glove sleeve fashioned through the front panel of the bag to permit an operator to remove abestos from a segment of the enclosed conduit, while maintaining subatmospheric air pressure within the bag. A replacement air intake inlet valve is positioned on the front or back panel to permit the ingress of ambient air into the bag while concomitantly preventing egress of air or particulate contents out of the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Inventor: Robert E. Lowe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5139318
    Abstract: An arrangement for transferring items to or from e.g. a glovebox, in a closed moveable container, the glovebox port has a door having a non-rotatable outer portion (12) and a rotatable inner portion (13). The container (2) has a lid having a non-rotatable outer portion (3) and a rotatable inner portion (4), the outer portion (3) having a thin lip (10). The port has a thin lip (19) which can be aligned with the lip (10) of the lid. The outer portion (12) of the door retains a peripheral sealing ring (17) and the rim of the container retains a similar ring (8) which can sandwich and bridge the two lips. The container (2) is attached to the port by a rotatable locking ring (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Broxup
  • Patent number: 5122918
    Abstract: An air filtrating disk drive slot dust protector comprises an air filtrating element attached to the front portion of a disk shaped supporting body, so that insertion of the protector into the disk drive causes the disk drive slot to be blocked by the air filtrating element, thereby keeping the dust from entering the disk drive slot but still allowing the cooling air to pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Inventor: Lee M. Chao
  • Patent number: 5104206
    Abstract: A plug for use in plugging a glove opening of a glovebox when the glove is eplaced. An inflated inner tube which is retained between flat plates mounted on a threaded rod is compressed in order to expand its diameter to equal that of the inside of the glove opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy
    Inventors: David O. Carlson, Edward Shalkowski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5095925
    Abstract: This invention discloses a fluid sterile system for use in the medical and dental industries for the removal and cleaning of gross tissue forms from biological articles and a method of preparing the biological articles for transplant and corrective surgeries and in the electronic and aerospace industries, the present invention discloses a portable, fluid cleaning system that clean articles such as fixtures, aerospace electronic and other equipment, microelectronic chips and electronic printed circuit boards for reducing the contamination level of such articles measured in parts per million (ppm). The aseptic system includes an enclosed high pressure sterile jet cleaning apparatus member for use in a first stage cleaning of particulates from an article used in a particular industry and a sterile ultrasonic bath apparatus member for use in a second stage cleaning of particulates from the same article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Inventors: David M. Elledge, Dwain W. Smith
  • Patent number: 5090782
    Abstract: An interchangeable member (38), such as a glove, collar or bag, is fixed in a cell flange with the aid of a supporting ring (36) formed of two sections bearing an extremity flange (50) of the member (38) and also with the aid of a safety ring (72) secured to the flange (16) and to the supporting ring (36) by two bayonet links and rotational immobilized by two blocking members (82, 78) with respect to the flange and the supporting ring. A mounting tool (100) is equipped with an indexing part (136) which makes it possible to retract the blocking members when the safety ring is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Euritech
    Inventors: Charles Glachet, Liliane Ponchet
  • Patent number: 5088511
    Abstract: A containment apparatus for confining asbestos fibers and the like floating in the air adjacent to a ceiling work area as a consequence of removing or repairing asbestos containing ceiling material. A substantially fiber-tight bag of flexible material has an open top adapted for positioning in close proximity to a friable ceiling substrate, or for fitting tightly against a stable ceiling substrate, in surrounding relation to the ceiling area to be worked upon and is supported in such position by an apparatus which in turn rests on the floor beneath the ceiling. One or more gloves of flexible material are sealed to openings in the bag, and each glove is adapted for providing protected access to the interior of the bag for the hand and arm of a user. At least a major portion of the bag is substantially transparent so that a user having one or both hands inserted in the gloves can view the area of the ceiling being worked upon from outside the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventor: G. William Bain
  • Patent number: 5085237
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for removing asbestos insulation. A pipe (7) delivers a fluid such as a surfactant to tines (13) which are attached to the pipe. The tines have a tapered end (17) for puncturing the covering (C) over the asbestos and the tines penetrate partially through the thickness of asbestos. Fluid discharged through the tines saturate the asbestos so it can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Inventor: Charles J. Milligan
  • Patent number: 5062871
    Abstract: A system and method for isolated removal and/or repair of a localized area in a structure, such as a ceiling or a wall. The system includes an adjustable support structure to which a debris containment bag is secured. The support structure is designed to adjustably hold the bag against a wall, ceiling or other structure so that a person can perform work on that structure from within the bag. In preferred embodiments the bag is fluid impermeable, carries one or more glove body which allows an operator to work within the bag on any isolated to-be-treated portion of a structure, a hose for controllably spraying liquids into the bag, and a vacuum hose for exhausting gases from the bag. The vacuum hose creates a negative pressure within the bag in a manner which reduces or eliminates the ability for material within the bag, such as asbestos, from becoming air entrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Seth C. Hunt
    Inventor: Walter B. Lemon, III
  • Patent number: 5056875
    Abstract: A container is provided for use in a clean environment, thereby allowing functional access to items such as chemicals stored within the container while minimizing contamination to the clean environment. A two-part unitary door includes an access plug and an entry plug. The plugs are separable from one another so that the container may be moved freely within the clean environment while the access plug seals the container from exposure to the clean environment, and the entry plug seals the clean environment from the exterior contaminated area. Structure is provided to enable functional access to the items stored within the container. In other embodiments, containers are provided for such objects as computers, oscilloscopes and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Vaughn E. Akins
  • Patent number: 5025716
    Abstract: An installation for processing foods such as fresh fruits and sea foods in a sterilized condition for subsequent freezing and storage operation is disclosed.The present invention is characterized by that said installation comprises a tunnel shaped sterilized chamber, a number of glove pairs provided on so many openings on the both lateral sides of the sterilized chamber, a partition wall formed at the inlet of sterilized chamber and a solution circulator channel for circulation of washing and sterilizing solution which conveys fresh foods such as fruits and sea foods from outside into the sterilized chamber while washing and sterilizing them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Inventor: Jitsuo Inagaki
  • Patent number: 5012537
    Abstract: An apparatus that is particularly useful in a hospital environment when cleaning bedpans and other objects which contain potentially dangerous materials. The apparatus comprises a generally transparent member that is provided with one or more openings for a person's arms, and means for mounting the member so as to locate the transparent member between the basin of the cleaning station and the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Inventor: Joanna L. Underwood
  • Patent number: 5010907
    Abstract: A mobile enclosure, which allows access to a vehicle in an unsafe environment and minimizes the possibility of contamination of the cockpit includes a trailer that is subdivided into plural subcompartments. A decontamination area is provided for decontaminating personnel ingressing the enclosure. The enclosure also has a vehicle maintenance area for receiving the vehicle personnel hatchway portion of a vehicle. The maintenance area has docking doors which are contoured to fit around the vehicle and open and close automatically to admit the vehicle. Decontamination facilities are provided immediately outside of the docking doors, to decontaminate the vehicle personnel hatchway portion as it is admitted to the enclosure. A crew compartment is provided where personnel, including the pilot, can rest, eat, and work. The enclosure has an auxiliary power unit that provides decontaminated air and water, electricity and heat for hot water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: General Dynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Henson, Michael K. Barron
  • Patent number: 4996999
    Abstract: Apparatus for handling potentially dangerous materials such as asbestos comprising a main body portion (3) having a work zone (5) therein into which, in use, the material can be placed. An opening (7) is provided to enable access to the work zone (5) from externally thereof. The apparatus further includes spray means (8) operatively mounted to the main body (3) and operatively connectible to a fluid source. The spray means (8) comprises a plurality of spray heads (8, 8A, 8B, 8C) arranged so as to form a plurality of fluid barriers or curtains which surround the work zone (5) and means (16) is provided for maintaining a pressure differential between said work zone and externally thereof when the apparatus is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Inventor: John K. Bartimote
  • Patent number: 4991633
    Abstract: A sanitary packaging system and method of using the same for the packaging of a sanitary product comprising a sanitary housing portion, a product bag, a sliding adjustment tube and a product tube. The product tube extends inside the sanitary housing portion and is flexibly attached to the sliding adjustment tube to which the product bag is attached. The sanitary product under pressure passes through the product tube, sliding adjustment tube and into the product bag to complete packaging. Sanitized air is blown through the sanitary housing enclosure to create a positive pressure therein, whereby in the case of a leak within the product bag, sliding adjustment tube or product entry tube, sanitary product leaks outwardly therefrom rather than allowing contaminates to be pulled inwardly and contaminate said sanitized product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Wong
  • Patent number: 4984828
    Abstract: To connect the end of a flexible collar (11) on a flexible wall (12) that belongs, for example, to a containment insulator, one part of that wall is mounted around a circular opening provided for that purpose on a fixed inner ring (18). A toric joint (20), which rolls between two grooves, (18c, 18b) formed on the ring (18) when the rigid outer ring is put into place (22) covering the end of the collar (11), blocks the wall (12) in the groove (18b). An immobilizing ring (24) is then placed in the other groove (18c) to keep the outer ring (22) from escaping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: S.N.E.LA Calhene
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques Lepissier
  • Patent number: 4963693
    Abstract: A protective or purge enclosure provides a positive atmosphere around an operating device such as a hand-held computer or calculator contained therein. The protective enclosure has sufficient flexibility, even though providing a positive, sealed atmosphere, to enable the user to operate the functional features of the device sealed within the enclosure, and the material forming the device is sufficiently transparent to enable the user to view the functional features of the device for operation. A visible indicator provided on the enclosure enables the user to determine if the enclosure is maintaining the positive atmosphere sealed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Ampex Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Kodl
  • Patent number: 4960143
    Abstract: A containment housing adapted to be supported on a pipe from which hazardous insulation is to be removed. The housing is composed of two sections pivoted for movement between open and closed positions and has openings at its opposite ends through which the pipe may extend. The joints between the pivoted sections and the pipe-accommodating openings are equipped with seals to prevent insulation particles from escaping the housing. One of the pipe-accommodating openings has an area larger than that of the other to enable the seal at the smaller area opening to engage the bare pipe, whereas the seal at the larger area opening engages the insulation. The housing has an outlet at its bottom through which insulation may pass to a disposable pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Aerospace America, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur M. Dore, Jr., Robert M. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 4950222
    Abstract: An isolator and method of using it for providing a contamination-free atmosphere in which a surgical procedure can be performed or equipment that is sensitive to environmental contamination can be assembled. The isolator includes an inflatable bag of flexible material through which filtered air is circulated. For use in surgery, a portion of the lower side is made of an elastic surgical drape material to allow a body member upon which a surgical procedure is to be performed to be pulled into the work space of the bag. A portion of the top side of the bag is made of a relatively stiff, optically transparent, material through which the surgeon or the assembly worker can view the work area. A plurality of open-ended sleeves are attached to the bag through which the hands and arms of the surgeon and his assistants or the worker can extend into the work space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Lone Star Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank B. Scott, Charley J. Fields, James M. Fowler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4949863
    Abstract: An isolator (10) formed to facilitate the entry and exit of products into and out of the isolator, the wall (12) of which includes an upper part (16) and a lower part (18) capable of being disconnected completely along one section of the isolator. The upper part (16) includes a flexible wall (24) forming a skirt, the lower edge of which emcompasses the upper edge of the lower part (18). A sealed connection of the two parts is obtained by inflating an inflatable seal (36) mounted in a recess (34) formed in a rigid portion of the lower part (18). The seal (36) then comes into sealing contact with an unstretchable belt (26) affixed to the lower end of the flexible wall (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: ISO Concept
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Cazalis, Bernard S. Martin
  • Patent number: 4934763
    Abstract: An improved glove box hazardous waste removal system especially for confining pipes, including a pair of semirigid side walls securable at least at one edge to one another to form a rigid unit and including a sealing structure to accommodate an intersecting pipe configuration. The box includes sealable structures on each end thereof, sealable to the pipe structure being confined. The side walls include a flexible skirt attached to the opposite edge and including a sealable bottom opening on the skirt. The skirt includes an improved attachment structure for securely attaching disposable burial bags thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Inventor: Earl B. Jacobons
  • Patent number: 4930453
    Abstract: A device for washing small animals includes a base having a floor sloping toward a drain. A screen covers the drain for trapping loose animal hair and a grate overlies the floor for supporting an animal to be washed. A dome formed from a transparent material is removably retained by a plurality of latches on the base for confining an animal. An opening formed in one end of the dome is dimensioned to receive a small animal's head through a slit in a rubber sheet covering the opening. A plurality of circular apertures are provided in the dome to receive a pair of glove inserts in various locations for conveniently washing an animal within the dome. A plurality of cover plates are provided for closing the circular apertures not currently in use. Each of the circular apertures includes a radially extending lip and an adjacent undercut groove for engagement with a resilient sealing disc of the glove inserts or the cover plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventor: David R. Laliberte
  • Patent number: 4920768
    Abstract: A transfer system for transferring textile articles laden with solvent from a solvent cleaning machine to a solvent reclaiming machine in a manner that significantly reduces the emission of solvent vapor to the atmosphere. An enclosed transfer vehicle includes a transportable basket, a flexible shroud covering the basket and a pair of sealed gloves for manipulating the machine access doors and the articles being transferred. A frame to which the shroud is attached includes an opening configured to match-up with the access opening of the cleaning/reclaiming machine and a closure for the opening. A collet is attached to either the transfer vehicle or each of the machines in a manner to be positioned between the vehicle opening and the machine access door to seal the interface. The collet is connected with a vapor recovery unit to recover vapors emitted by the articles while being transferred to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: GPL Partnership
    Inventors: Georges Cares, Paul Cares, Louis G. Cares
  • Patent number: 4914793
    Abstract: A quick-sealing assembly and method for forming an adhesive seal on opposite sides of a mechanical seal for a flexible containment bag of the type used for working with radioactively contaminated objects. The assembly includes an elongated mechanical fastener having opposing engaging members affixed at a predetermined distance from each of the elongated edges, with an adhesive layer formed between the mechanical fastener and the elongated edge such that upon engagement of the mechanical fastener and adhesive layers to opposing containment fabric, a neat triple hermetic seal is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Donald S. Rampolia, Elmer Speer
  • Patent number: 4915272
    Abstract: A glove donning and removing machine includes a pair of glove donning cylinders in which a negative pressure is created to inflate gloves mounted to the rims of the cylinders. This enables a person to insert his/her hands simultaneously in both gloves. The glove donning cylinders are selectively pivotable toward and away from the user and are also rotatable, allowing for fully adjustable orienting of the cylinders and of the gloves mounted to the cylinders. Actuating switches for controlling inflating and deflating of the gloves are located within the cylinders for allowing manipulation of the switches from within the glove inflating cylinders. Separately of the glove donning cylinders, a pair of glove removing cylinders are provided for removing a pair of gloves from a person's hands. According to one embodiment, trapezoid shaped resiliently mounted segments, disposed at the opening into the glove removing cylinders, serve to snag the cuff portion of a glove and to thus pull the gloves off a person's hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignees: David G. Vlock, Lawrence Rosen
    Inventor: Richard S. Vlock
  • Patent number: 4911191
    Abstract: A containment apparatus for confining asbestos fibers and the like floating in the air adjacent to a ceiling work area as a consequence of removing or repairing asbestos containing ceiling material. A substantially fiber-tight bag of flexible material has an open top adapted for positioning in close proximity to a friable ceiling substrate, or for fitting tightly against a stable ceiling substrate, in surrounding relation to the ceiling area to be worked upon and is supported in such position by an apparatus which in turn rests on the floor beneath the ceiling. One or more gloves of flexible material are sealed to openings in the bag, and each glove is adapted for providing protected access to the interior of the bag for the hand and arm of a user. At least a major portion of the bag is automatically transparent so that a user having one or both hands inserted in the gloves can view the area of the ceiling being worked upon from outside the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventor: G. William Bain
  • Patent number: 4912358
    Abstract: A device for stripping and receiving cladding material from an elongated body includes a flexible bag means having an upper portion adapted to surround a first section of an elongated body and a lower portion extending below the first section of the elongated body for receiving and retaining cladding material removed therefrom and first and second laterally extendable sleeve members which are attached to opposing sides of the upper portion of the bag means and adapted to surround adjacent sections of the first section of the elongated body. The bag means and sleeve members define a sealed enclosure about the elongated body sections. Each sleeve member has an expandable length greater than adjacent sections of the elongated body which they surround whereby the extendable sleeve members permit the bag means to be moved into positions below each of the adjacent sections of the elongated body surrounded by each sleeve member to receive and retain cladding material stripped therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Vitta Trust, c/o Michael F. Vitta, Trustee
    Inventor: Michael F. Vitta