Abstract: A process and corresponding apparatus for dehydrating gas, especially natural gas. The process includes an absorption step and a membrane pervaporation step to regenerate the liquid sorbent.

Abstract: This invention's object is to eliminate a possibility that both aromatic substances and olefin substances are resolved into deaerated liquid contacted with a transmission film. As a transmission film for allowing only gas to pass and preventing liquid from being passed therethrough, there is applied a product of high volatile characteristic in which dispersion liquid composed of single solution is added to particle plastic substrate to form paste material is extruded and baked.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method for venting a gas from a liquid delivery system are provided. A venting tube may be provided and may be positioned within a chamber that contains the liquid. The liquid may have a top surface within the chamber. The venting tube may have an opening covered by a liquiphobic membrane or a hydrophobic membrane. The membrane may define a plane or a surface which is not parallel to the top surface of the liquid. Gas may pass through a portion of the membrane into the venting tube. Moreover, the membrane may vent the gas. The membrane is non-parallel to the liquid, and, as a result, the membrane may be less prone to clogging.

Abstract: The invention encompasses polishing systems for polishing semiconductive material substrates, and encompasses methods of cleaning polishing slurry from semiconductive substrate surfaces. In one aspect, the invention includes a method of cleaning a polishing slurry from a substrate surface comprising: a) providing a substrate surface having a polishing slurry in contact therewith; b) providing a liquid; c) injecting a gas into the liquid to increase a total dissolved gas concentration in the liquid; and d) after the injecting, providing the liquid against the substrate surface to displace the polishing slurry from the substrate surface.

Abstract: A process for removing oxygen from a copper plating solution is provided. The solution is passed through a degasser comprising a shell and hollow hydrophobic fiber porous membranes wherein the shell while a vacuum is drawn on the surfaces of the fibers opposite the fiber surfaces contacted by the solution. Gas passed through the fiber walls while liquid is prevented from infiltrating the fiber pores. The composition of the solution is monitored so that the composition can be retained substantially constant by adding components of the solution as needed.

Abstract: A fuel deoxygenator includes a plurality of fuel plates defining fuel passages through a housing. A permeable membrane supported by a porous substrate is in contact with fuel flowing through the fuel passages. A vacuum in communication with the porous substrate creates a differential pressure between oxygen within the fuel and the porous membrane. The oxygen partial pressure differential causes oxygen dissolved within the fuel to migrate from the fuel through the permeable membrane away from the fuel. Fuel exiting the outlet includes a substantially reduced amount of dissolved oxygen.

Abstract: A flow-dampening degassing apparatus for transport of liquid chromatography fluids therethrough includes a substantially burdoin-shaped flexible tube disposed in a reduced-pressure chamber, the tube being sufficiently flexible to expand in a cross-sectional direction upon incursion of a fluid pulsation to thereby increase an inner volume of the tube and correspondingly reduce fluid pressure therein. In a particular embodiment, the tube is fabricated from a gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable material for degassing transported fluids in the reduced-pressure chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide between a gas and an aqueous liquid, usually fresh water or sea water, using a plurality of hollow fiber gas permeable membranes. Oxygen is extracted from a surrounding liquid into the fibers and carbon dioxide is diffused from the fibers into the surrounding liquid. The oxygen rich gas within the membranes is distributed through a breathing device to a user.

Abstract: A process for treating mixtures of organic components, including azeotropic mixtures. The process includes a gas- or liquid-phase membrane separation step in conjunction with a dephlegmation step to treat at least a portion of the permeate vapor from the pervaporation step. The process yields a membrane residue stream, a stream enriched in the more volatile component as the overhead stream from the dephlegmator and a condensate stream enriched in the less volatile component as a bottoms stream from the dephlegmator. Any of these may be the principal product of the process.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane module and potting material can be used for chemical deaeration in a semiconductor production process, in printers, in a liquid crystal sealing process or in a chemical production process. A hollow fiber membrane module 1 includes, as potting material 2, an epoxy resin cured product in which the weight change per unit surface area of a potting material test piece after immersing the test piece in a chemical for 6 months at room temperature is within the range of −20 to +20 mg/cm2, and as housing 4, a polyolefin in which the weight change per unit surface area of a test piece after immersing the test piece in a chemical for 6 months at room temperature is within the range of −20 to +20 mg/cm2, and the total metal content is 300 ppm or less. The module has a long service life when used for chemical treatment without leakage.

Abstract: A fully perfluorinated thermoplastic hollow fiber membrane fluid-fluid contactor and a process for manufacturing the contactor is described. The contactor has a unitary end structure produced by a single step potting and bonding process. The contactor can be operated with low surface tension liquids and in harsh chemical environments.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separation membrane is provided with high reliability and performance while having gas-permeable pores formed independently of each other in even pore size and in uniform distribution. The gas-liquid separation membrane has a plurality of gas-permeable pores that permit permeation of gas and that prevent permeation of liquid by capillary force, and the plurality of gas-permeable pores are formed independently of each other and in even pore size by laser machining.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a membrane contactor for debubbling (or degassing) a liguid. The membrane contactor comprises a perforated core tube, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes surrounding the tubes and having an end, a tube sheet affixing the end of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes to the core tube, and a shell surrounding the plurality of hollow fiber membranes and the tube sheet. A lumen side is defined by an internal surface of the membranes. A lumen side is defined by the perforated core tube, an external surface of said membrane, and the shell. The membrane is a single layered, skinned, polymethylpentene hollow fiber microporous membrane. The skin is on the shell side.

Abstract: A fully perfluorinated thermoplastic hollow fiber membrane fluid-fluid contactor and a process for manufacturing the contactor is described. The contactor has a unitary end structure produced by a single step potting and bonding process. The contactor can be operated with low surface tension liquids and in harsh chemical environments.

Abstract: Oleophobic and hydrophobic filters for filter venting applications are made by forming a fluorosulfone coating on the surface of a filtration substrate. The filters have high water penetration pressures and high air permeabilities. The coatings are formed by grafting a fluorosulfone oligomer to a polymeric substrate.

Abstract: A method of raising the concentration of a liquid mixture utilizes osmotic distillation to transfer a volatile liquid component from the mixture in contact with one side of a nonporous, preferably high free volume, gas permeable membrane to a strip solution in contact with the other side of the membrane. Due to its nonporous nature the gas permeable membrane resists penetration and wetting by oily components that may be present in the feed mixture. Similarly, occlusion of the membrane by solids is resisted. Preferably, an amorphous copolymer of perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxole is useful for the gas permeable membrane. Osmotic distillation utilizing such high free volume, nonporous gas permeable membranes can concentrate difficult liquid mixtures such as pulpy fruit juices and especially, limonene-containing juices, for example, orange juice. The process can be operated at high flux for long durations between membrane cleanings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for debubbling an ink. The method comprises the steps of: providing an ink having an entrained gas; providing a membrane contactor comprising a plurality of integrally asymmetric hollow fiber microporous membranes; a membrane defining within the contactor a lumen side and a shell side; providing a vacuum source; passing the gas entrained ink through the shell side of the contactor; applying the vacuum source to the lumen side of the contactor; and debubbling the gas entrained ink across the membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for continuously monitoring the operation of electrical equipment and preventing critical operational failures. The invention quantitatively determines the concentrations of gas and/or vapor (including water) components in an insulating fluid on a real time basis. An increase of one or more detected chemical components signifies an actual or potential electrical problem with the equipment. The preferred apparatus consists of a gas extractor, an infrared gas analysis instrument, and a gas diaphragm pump. Gas and water vapor components are extracted from the insulating fluid by permeating through a membrane in a gas extractor. The gas and/or vapor components are then brought into an infrared gas analyzer by the gas diaphragm pump. A quad detector in the analysis instrument identifies and determines the concentration of three specified gases and/or the vapor simultaneously.

Abstract: A device for removing entrained air or gas from fluids includes a first chamber having a fluid inlet and an outlet, a second chamber, adjacent said first chamber, having a plurality of channels, a porous barrier separating the first chamber and the second chamber and a vent in fluid communication with the second chamber. The inlet is connected to the first chamber through at least one fluid passage. Fluid flows from the inlet, through the passage, and into the first chamber. A fluid dead zone adjacent the barrier assists an air or gas bubble to coalesce and pass through the barrier into the second chamber. The plurality of channels within the second chamber collect the air or gas and direct it to the vent in communication with the channels. A clip, or similar device, may be used to secure the device to medical equipment adjacent the patient or fluid source.

Abstract: Oleophobic and hydrophobic filters for filter venting applications are made by forming a fluorosulfone coating on the surface of a filtration substrate. The filters have high water penetration pressures and high air permeabilities. The coatings are formed by grafting a fluorosulfone oligomer to a polymeric substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for supplying a liquid raw material wherein the liquid raw material is deaerated and supplied from a liquid raw material container to a liquid flow control section, the method comprising passing the liquid raw material, supplied from a liquid raw material container by the pressure of a first inert gas, inside of a gas permeable synthetic resin tube, passing a second inert gas having a lower permeability into the synthetic resin tube than the first inert gas along the external surface of the synthetic resin tube whereby the first inert gas dissolved in the liquid raw material is allowed to penetrate into the outside of the synthetic resin tube and then supplying the liquid raw material to the liquid flow control section and an apparatus for supplying a liquid raw material which apparatus is used in the method. The invention ensures that inert gas dissolved in a liquid raw material can be removed easily and efficiently in a semiconductor manufacturing process using a liquid raw material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for debubbling an ink. The method comprises the steps of: providing an ink having an entrained gas; providing a membrane contactor comprising a plurality of integrally asymmetric hollow fiber microporous membranes; a membrane defining within the contactor a lumen side and a shell side; providing a vacuum source; passing the gas entrained ink through the shell side of the contactor; applying the vacuum source to the lumen side of the contactor; and debubbling the gas entrained ink across the membrane.

Abstract: A downhole preferential hydrocarbon gas recovery system and method employ preferentially selective materials to separate the hydrocarbon gas from contaminants. According to one aspect of the invention, the preferentially selective materials are arranged in tubes with the hydrocarbon gas flowing through the tubes and the contaminants permeating out through the preferentially selective material.

Abstract: In microelectronics (semiconductor) processing, pitting and voiding of aluminum and aluminum alloys by deionized (DI) water is prevented. The present method and apparatus degasifies the DI water to remove the dissolved oxygen gas. The oxygen gas concentration of the DI water is thus reduced from the saturation levels typically present to vastly less than saturation. It has been found that oxygen gas serves as the oxidizing agent in an electro-chemical reaction that includes the aluminum metal as the anode. The degasified DI water can be used at high temperatures and for long exposure times to rinse wafers without problematic aluminum etching. The present method is applicable to any semiconductor wafer fabrication or integrated circuit assembly process that uses DI water in contact with aluminum metallization.

Abstract: A method for dewatering and/or degassing a hydraulic fluid includes separating gases and water in the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid by pervaporation at a membrane that is permeable to the gas and the water and that is impermeable to hydraulic fluid, while maintaining a partial pressure drop for the gas and the water near the membrane.

Abstract: A membrane contactor degasses a liquid. A liquid having a dissolved gas is introduced into a contactor which is connected to a vacuum source. The contactor has a perforated core, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes, a tube sheet affixing each end of the fibers, and a shell having a liquid egress. The shell encloses the fibers, the tube sheet, and the core. The hollow fiber lumens are in fluid communication with the vacuum source. Liquid enters the contactor via the core's open end radially exits the core, crosses over the membranes within the shell, and exits the contactor by the liquid egress. The dissolved gas thereby diffuses from the liquid across the membrane into the lumen. The liquid exiting may have a dissolved gas content to less than 1 ppb.

Abstract: A method of decreasing the amount of cosmetic defects in contact lenses made from hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers. By filtering the monomer mixture with a filter, the hydrophilic and hydrophobic components are finely dispersed throughout the mixture. Dissolved gases contained within the mixture are also finely dispersed. Contact lenses produced from this method have improved optical quality.

Abstract: The method of degassing an aqueous coating solution having a viscosity of 1 centipoise or more comprises using a fluoro resin film as the degassing membrane and can degas fast without the generation of microbubbles which causes coating troubles even in the case of the solutions having a high viscosity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a miniaturized integrated nucleic acid diagnostic device and system. The device of the invention is generally capable of performing one or more sample acquisition and preparation operations, in combination with one or more sample analysis operations. For example, the device can integrate several or all of the operations involved in sample acquisition and storage, sample preparation and sample analysis, within a single integrated unit. The device is useful in a variety of applications, and most notably, nucleic acid based diagnostic applications and de novo sequencing applications.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the deoxygenation of liquid fuel in the fuel system of an energy conversion device, such as an aircraft gas turbine engine. A membrane filter is disposed in the fuel system and is selected to remove oxygen from the fuel, typically a hydrocarbon, while excluding the fuel. The membrane filter may be permeable or porous to the oxygen and, in a preferred embodiment, is of polytetraflouroethylene. Fuel with dissolved oxygen (typically from air) is flowed in contact with one surface of the membrane filter, and removed oxygen is collected from the opposite surface of the filter. The difference in the partial pressure of oxygen across the membrane filter may be controlled to regulate the driving force for moving oxygen through the membrane. Reduction of the oxygen concentration in jet fuel to less than 10 ppm at liquid space velocities of 100/hr and greater are attained.

Abstract: A flow-through vacuum degassing unit for degassing a mobile phase includes a vacuum conduit adapted to be connected to a source for creating a vacuum in the conduit, an inlet port and an outlet port for admitting and discharging the mobile phase to be degassed, a degassing tube for conducting the mobile phase through the conduit, wherein the degassing tube is a gas-permeable, liquid impermeable material. In a particular embodiment, the degassing tube receives multiple mobile phases blended together in a discrete volume of desired composition.

Abstract: This invention's object is to eliminate a possibility that both aromatic substances and olefin substances are resolved into deaerated liquid contacted with a transmission film. As a transmission film for allowing only gas to pass and preventing liquid from being passed therethrough, there is applied a product of high volatile characteristic in which dispersion liquid composed of single solution not containing both aromatic substances and olefin substances is added to particle plastic substrate to form paste material is extruded and baked.

Abstract: An apparatus for degassing liquids comprises a cavity through which liquid is conducted, with gas being removed from the liquid through at least one of the limiting faces of the cavity by providing on the side of the face distal to the cavity a smaller pressure than within the cavity. The apparatus is characterized in that the limiting face between the cavity and the region having reduced pressure compared to the cavity is formed by at least one thin membrane, having a thickness of less than about 10 micrometers, and in that a porous support structure for supporting the membrane is provided. The degasser can be miniaturized and integrated into a liquid chromatograph.

Abstract: A flow-through vacuum degassing unit for degassing a liquid includes a vacuum chamber adapted to be connected to a source for creating a vacuum in the chamber, an inlet and an outlet connection for admitting and discharging liquid to be degassed, a tube for conducting the liquid through the chamber, wherein the tube is a gas permeable polymeric resin material, and a control circuit for operating the source for creating a vacuum in the chamber responsive to a sensed vacuum level in the chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for supplying a liquid raw material wherein the liquid raw material is deaerated and supplied from a liquid raw material container to a liquid flow control section, the method comprising passing the liquid raw material, supplied from a liquid raw material container by the pressure of a first inert gas, inside of a gas permeable synthetic resin tube, passing a second inert gas having a lower permeability into the synthetic resin tube than the first inert gas along the external surface of the synthetic resin tube whereby the first inert gas dissolved in the liquid raw material is allowed to penetrate into the outside of the synthetic resin tube and then supplying the liquid raw material to the liquid flow control section and an apparatus for supplying a liquid raw material which apparatus is used in the method. The invention ensures that inert gas dissolved in a liquid raw material can be removed easily and efficiently in a semiconductor manufacturing process using a liquid raw material.

Abstract: A method for removing and preventing discharge into the atmosphere of carbon dioxide from combustion gases and natural gas from installations for production of oil and/or gas, wherein the combustion gas is passed to an absorber containing a solvent, where carbon dioxide is absorbed in the solvent, and the thereby purified combustion gas, largely free of carbon dioxide, is released into the atmosphere, where the CO2 rich solvent is passed to a desorber where CO2 is removed from the solvent, and the thereby largely CO2-free solvent is recycled to the absorber, and the separated CO2 gas is passed to a compression stage for compression and utilization and/or disposal in a suitable manner, where membrane gas/liquid contactors are employed in both the absorber and the desorber, and that an external stripping steam is supplied to the desorber.

Abstract: A gas recovery device utilizes membranes of a gas permeable, liquid impermeable substance to strip gas from gas-containing liquids, such as brine in subterranean geological formations. The device includes a shell defined by perforated outer walls and a plurality of elongated permeation tubes. Only one end of the tubes is attached to a plenum with the tube lumina in fluid communication with the plenum. The remainder of the tubes is not anchored and therefore is free to move. Substantially liquid-free gas is removed from the plenum through a pipe to a remote facility for storage and use. The gas recovery device can be deployed within the casing of a well suspended by the product discharge pipe and immersed in gas-containing brine flowing from a natural geological formation. The brine seeps into the well casing and flows through the perforations to surround the permeation tubes.

Abstract: The present invention monitors and removes contaminants from dielectric fluids by utilizing an apparatus having a chamber and tube configuration. The chamber encloses a plurality of tubes which include porous hollow fibers with an inert polymer coating. Conduits route the dielectric fluid to and from operative equipment. An atmosphere control device creates an atmospheric condition within the chamber that causes contaminants within the dielectric fluid to migrate through the tubes into the chamber, thereby producing refined dielectric fluid. The method of the present invention removes contaminants from a dielectric fluid. The dielectric fluid is routed from operative equipment and passes through tubes enclosed within a chamber. An atmospheric condition is created within the chamber to cause contaminants within the dielectric fluid to migrate into the chamber. A refined dielectric fluid is produced which is directed back to the operative equipment.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for delivering and recycling a liquid such that a substantially air bubble-free liquid flow can be supplied to a process machine and a liquid flow that contains air bubbles can be recycled back into a liquid reservoir for venting away the air bubbles. The method and apparatus is not only capable of supplying air bubble-free liquid to a process machine, but also capable of saving a costly process liquid from being purged out into a waste tank in order to eliminate air bubbles entrapped in the liquid.

Abstract: A spiral wound type membrane element is formed by superposing gas-liquid contact membranes on both surfaces of a first fluid passage forming member, superposing a second fluid passage forming member on the surface of one of the gas-liquid contact membranes and spirally winding the gas-liquid contact membranes around a second fluid supply pipe along with the first fluid passage forming member and the second fluid passage forming member. A side portion on the inner peripheral side and a side portion on the outer peripheral side of a first fluid passage formed by the first fluid passage forming member between the gas-liquid contact membranes are sealed. Both end portions of a second fluid passage formed by the second fluid passage forming member between the gas-liquid contact membranes are sealed. The spiral wound type membrane element is stored inside a cylindrical container. The gas-liquid contact membranes are formed by PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) porous membranes having hydrophobicity.

Abstract: Emulsions containing dense gas, liquid and a surfactant which may have been used for extraction of a solute from a substance or for other purposes are demulsified by passage through a membrane contactor. An emulsion flow path in the contactor is separated from a dense gas and surfactant flow path by membrane having pores which enable passage of the dense gas and surfactant constituents of the emulsion through the membrane while inhibiting passage of the liquid and any solute which may be therein. The membrane may be a plurality of hollow fibers. A portion of the recovered dense gas may be vaporized, temperature adjusted and be repressurized and be redirected into the dense gas and surfactant flow path to increase processing rate. Recovered dense gas and surfactant may be returned to the emulsion source for reuse therein.

Abstract: A pervaporation process for selectively removing a component from a multicomponent aqueous solution which is practiced with an assembly comprising a feed chamber for holding and introducting the multicomponent aqueous solution to be treated therein, the feed chamber having a pressure, an exit chamber having a pressure, and located adjacent to the feed chamber and downstream thereof; at least one membrane composite located between the feed chamber and the exit chamber and adapted for fluid registry therewith, the membrane composite comprised of a porous membrane having a first and second surface, and a nonporous membrane permanently disposed on the second surface of the porous membrane, and having a permeability selective to the component, the membrane composite aligned such that the nonporous membrane is connected to the feed chamber; and a vacuum pump connected to the exit chamber for evacuating the component from the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water separator for separating a two-phase stream into a liquid water component and a gas component. The water separator includes a housing defining a cavity and includes an input port, a gas output port and a water output port. A hydrophobic filter is provided in the cavity and interposed between the input port and the gas output port so as to prevent a liquid water component of a two-phase stream of gas and water entering the input port from exiting the gas output port. A hydrophilic filter is provided in the cavity and interposed between the input port and the water output port so as to prevent the gas component entering the input port from exiting the water output port.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising a hydrophobic, fluoroplastic polymer and an oleophobic fluoropolymer, wherein said composition is both hydrophobic and oleophobic, and wherein the weight ratio of the hydrophobic, fluoroplastic polymer to the oleophobic fluoropolymer in the composition is at least about 10:1. The present invention also provides products prepared from and using such a composition, as well as methods of preparing such a composition and products.

Abstract: Used for high performance liquid chromatography systems, a degassing unit with degassing performance of high fluid replacement efficiency in a small volume is described, which is composed of (1) a flat rectangular hollow enclosure using two rectangular degassable film sheets which fringes are sealed hermetically to form an internal space, and providing two independent openings at separate positions; one for an inlet to feed eluent in and the other for an outlet to feed it out, (2) two sheet plates with a number of holes, of the same shape as that of the film sheets, each of which is closely fitted to either side of the film sheets to prevent the expansion of the hollow enclosure, (3) a degassing module having the fringe of the hollow enclosure and the fringes of the plates with holes piled in one upon another with a pair of holding frames which allow to expose the outside surface areas of the sheet plates, (4) a vacuum chamber accommodating the degassing module and enclosing the surrounding space around it, a

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separating liquid from a slurry of solid particles and liquid contained in a vessel in the presence of a gas, which comprises degasifying the slurry and passing the degasified slurry through a cross-flow filter, and separating the degasified slurry into the liquid and a concentrated slurry. The present invention further relates to a process for the preparation of heavy hydrocarbons, which process comprises contacting a synthesis gas in a reactor vessel with a slurry of solid catalyst particles and a liquid, thereby producing heavy hydrocarbons, and separating the liquid containing heavy hydrocarbons from the slurry by the said method.

Abstract: A deaeration assembly for removal of air or other gases dissolved in a liquid. The assembly includes a deaeration element having a gas-channel-forming component enclosed and sealed within an envelope which includes a nonporous fluoropolymer film. The assembly also includes a liquid-channel-forming component which can be positioned on the outside of the element, or can be enclosed with the gas-channel-forming component within the element. The assembly can be formed in spiral-wound or folded configurations for installation in a deaeration module or apparatus. The deaeration assembly is useful for removal of gases dissolved in chemically aggressive liquids, high-purity liquids, and other special liquids.

Abstract: A pump for metering liquids out of a tank into a delivery line, includes, fitted on the output side, an air-purge device which is designed to separate off gas, in particular air, entrained by the pressurized liquid being conveyed and to lead the gas away into a gas-collection space which is at a pressure lower than that of the liquid. In order to ensure reliable purging, even with corrosive liquids, the pump is designed so that the purging device has a semipermeable membrane, on one side of which the pressurized liquid acts, the other side being in direct contact with the gas-collection space.

Abstract: A deaeration assembly for removal of air or other gases dissolved in a liquid. The assembly includes a deaeration element having a gas-channel-forming component enclosed and sealed within an envelope formed of a non-porous fluoropolymer film. The assembly also includes a liquid-channel-forming component which can be positioned on the outside of the element, or can be enclosed with the gas-channel-forming component within the element. The assembly can be formed in spiral-wound or folded configurations for installation in a deaeration module or apparatus. The deaeration assembly is useful for removal of gases dissolved in chemically aggressive liquids, high-purity liquids, and other special liquids.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing and transporting articles, such as contact lens sections from a manufacturing line to inspection and packaging stations. The lenses are deposited in a transparent plastic primary package which carries the lenses through the inspection station and becomes part of the primary package when a cover is sealed thereto. The invention includes various assemblies, including lens transfer assemblies, deionized water filling and removal assemblies, a water degassing assembly, a lens inspection assembly, and a lens package sealing assembly. The lenses are removed from pallets at a post hydration station, transported and spatially redistributed, and deposited in the primary packages disposed on a second set of pallets. The packages on the second set of pallets are filled with degassed deionized water. The contact lenses and packages are then transported to an inspection station.