Abstract: An antimicrobial microfiltration filter is made from a bundle of polymeric semipermeable hollow fibers treated with an antimicrobial agent and a microporous filter medium which may also be treated with an antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: A method of producing a micromechanical relay comprises the steps of providing a substrate including a conductive fixed electrode in or on said substrate. A sacrificial layer and a conductive layer are applied and the conductive layer is structured so as to define a beam structure as a movable counterelectrode opposite said fixed electrode. A contact area is applied, the conductive layer extending between an anchoring region and the contact area and being insulated from said contact area. Subsequently, the sacrificial layer is removed by means of etching so as to produce the beam structure comprising a movable area and an area secured to the anchoring region on the substrate.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for preheating, melting, refining and casting of steel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for sorting cylindrical articles such as dry cells and certainly cutting and heat-sealing a cylindrical film of thermal shrinkage resin at a boundary between a film portion enclosing one group and a film portion enclosing the next group in the course of carrying the article groups while keeping each interval between the two adjacent groups. Front side and rear side carrying conveyor belts disposed in front of and behind the upper and lower end sealers in the carrying direction are taken as holding conveyor belts capable of pressing from above the articles. At least one of the holding conveyor belts is movable forwardly and rearwardly relative to the other.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for cutting vegetation and simultaneously treating the remaining stems of the cut vegetation with a treatment fluid. The apparatus includes a mower, a cutting blade drive rotatably mounted on the mower, a blade carrier secured to the rotatable drive, and at least one cutting blade assembly rotatably mounted on the blade carrier. The apparatus further includes a fluid container for containing the treatment fluid in a plurality of interconnected, stackable and removable fluid container cells, a pumping device for pumping the treatment fluid to the at least one cutting blade assembly, a flow control device for metering the amount of treatment fluid that is pumped to the at least one cutting blade assembly, and a fluid conduit device for delivering the treatment fluid from the fluid container to the cutting and treating device.

Abstract: A very efficient direct current mobile air conditioning unit suitable for use with vehicles and capable of extended periods of operation while powered by a 12 volt battery is described. The direct current mobile air conditioning unit comprises at least one oil-less compressor and condenser coils and evaporator coils wrapped in metal gauze, where air is moved across the evaporator coil and condenser unit by highly efficient axial fans.

Abstract: An encapsulating device having a material encapsulated therein comprises a asic body provided with a recess for receiving therein the material and formed by microsystem technology in such a way that the material is fully arranged within the recess. A diaphragm extends across the basic body and is implemented in microsystem or thin-film technology. The diaphragm is used for encapsulating the material in the recess of the basic body in such a way that the diaphragm extends in spaced relationship with the material. An electrically actuable heating means is provided for destroying the diaphragm so as to expose the material.

Abstract: The present invention is a screen frame and screen positionable in most window frames and door frames. The invented screen frame is comprised of four screen frame segments joined together at corners to form a generally rectangular or multi-sided screen frame. Corner joint inserts are inserted in each corner of the four screen frame segments and the inserts are spot welded to adjoining screen frame segments to provide a sturdy and rigid screen frame. The screen frame segments are preferably stainless steel extrusions having two parallel flanges extending from a generally square shaped hollow body. An alternative construction of the screen frame is a continuous extruded segment that is notched at certain locations for bending and forming into a continuous screen frame having one junction requiring spot welding. A metal, preferably stainless steel screen is secured in the screen frame by spot welding the screen between the screen frame flanges of the screen frame segment.

Abstract: A brush having antimicrobial characteristics that inhibit bacterial growth. The antimicrobial agents, compounds or chemicals are embedded in either the body or bristles or both of the brush. Further, the present invention is a method of manufacturing a brush having antimicrobial characteristics that inhibit bacterial growth. An antimicrobial additive is incorporated in resin concentrate form into the amorphous zones of the molecular structure of the polymer from which brush handles are injection molded, thereby incorporating the antimicrobial agent into the brush handle. The antimicrobial additive in the body of the brush, incorporated in the manner above, results in substantive controlled migration from the body to the bristles, until a point of equilibrium is reached. The invention is suitable for any brush in which bristles are embedded in plastic, including toothbrushes, hair brushes, scrub brushes, toilet bowl brushes, cosmetic brushes, lip-color brushes, etc.

Abstract: A fluid pump has a pump body and a displacer, the displacer and the pump body being implemented such that a pump chamber is defined therebetween, the pump chamber having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, neither the inlet opening nor the outlet opening being provided with a check valve. A drive means is provided which positions the displacer periodically at a first and at a second end position. The displacer closes the outlet opening when it occupies its first end position and leaves the outlet opening free when it occupies its second end position and leaves the inlet opening free at both end positions thereof.

Abstract: An attic hatchway cover wherein a tent-like structure having side walls, a front wall, and a rear wall each having a flange structure are arranged to engage and for securement to a hatchway opening framework employing mounting strips, such that fastening structure secures each mounting strip to each associated flange and simultaneously to the framework. .[.The.]. .Iadd.In a preferred embodiment, the .Iaddend.top wall of the cover employs a flap member selectively securable to the top wall and displaceable therefrom by use of a generally U-shaped zipper to disengage the flap relative to the top wall.