Abstract: Apparatus secures in its closed position the door of a chamber capable of maintaining pressure within the chamber. The present invention includes apparatus disposed on the chamber for cooperating to move the door to and from its closed position including at least two members, one of which is movable relative to the chamber. The door is in its closed position when the stationary member and the door are separated from each other by a predetermined distance. The movable member can be forced between the door and the stationary member to separate the door and the stationary member from each other by a predetermined distance. Further, the present invention includes apparatus for preventing the door from assuming its closed position until the movable member is forced between the door and the stationary member.

Abstract: A sealing device for application between two confronting, generally parallel surfaces. One of the surfaces has a longitudinally extending groove for receiving the sealing device. The sealing device includes a base member having bottom surface contours to define a pair of spaced, longitudinally extending fluid passages between the base member and the groove. A pair of lip members are connected to the base member and extend therefrom for spaced-apart engagement with the other one of the confronting surfaces, thereby to form a third fluid passage between the lip members and the other said surface. Fluid communication means are provided between the fluid passages aforesaid.

Abstract: A pressure-vacuum purge cycle that is employed in the sterilization of dry goods and especially of wrapped fabric packs employs a positive pressure steam pulse followed by a positive pressure steam displacement of continuously vented air in novel combination with subsequent vacuum pulsing at limited maximum negative pressures to provide improved conditioning of the said goods in respect of the purging of air and moisturizing of the goods and improved economies in time and energy consumption.

Abstract: A mirror includes a reflective surface that will not become fogged when the mirror is used in a steamy or humid environment such as a shower area. The mirror comprises a reflective member including a reflective surface fixed to a housing so that a housing compartment is defined thereby. An opening formed in the housing communicates with the housing compartment enabling a user to fill the housing compartment with water. The user fills the housing compartment with hot tap water so that the reflective surface will not become fogged when the mirror is used in a shower area. The mirror can include a base fixed to the housing for storing shaving articles, such as shaving soap. The base can have a base compartment formed therein that communicates with the housing compartment. Accordingly, the base compartment can be filled with hot water to heat the shaving soap.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of introducing refining gas and stirring gas into metal refining converters, and more particularly into converters in steelworks.To achieve this, the subject of the present invention is a method of blowing oxidizing gases, particularly pure oxygen, to refine metals, and more particularly to refine pig iron into steel, in a converter, by means on the one hand of a lance blowing from top to bottom, and on the other hand by protected tuyeres blowing, vertically or obliquely, from bottom to top, and characterized in that the amount of oxygen blown from bottom to top by the tuyeres is between 3% and 25% of the total amount of oxygen necessary to refine the metal bath, in that this oxygen is blown from bottom to top with a practically constant flow or a decreasing flow, i.e.

Abstract: The application discloses a method and apparatus for processing liquid-containing fluids present in a work chamber at elevated temperature; the method and apparatus are particularly useful in connection with a steam/hot water washing machine. A housing is provided in fluid communication with the work chamber; the housing includes a tortuous path for the escape of hot moist air into the atmosphere during operation of the work chamber. Thereafter, a blower is energized to withdraw hot moist air from the work chamber and swirl it within the housing around filter means comprising the tortuous path. The swirling, hot moist air is subjected to cooling fluids for the purpose of condensing water vapor and removing heat from the system.

Abstract: An improved lower sealing means for a chromatographic column including a disc of phase separation paper transversely disposed within the column at its bottom portion and a flanged retaining ring in contact with the paper disc at its periphery and sealingly engaging the interior walls of the column. Preferably, both the column and the retaining ring are formed of polyolefin material.

Abstract: A closure for a chamber having an interior which can contain a fluid under pressure provides apparatus for latching the door of the chamber in its closed position and locking it in that position when the positive pressure within the chamber reaches a predetermined level. The closure includes a door that is moved by positive pressure within the chamber and, through appropriate mechanisms, activates locking apparatus that prevents the door from leaving its closed position as long as such pressure is present within the chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for rupturing a sealed, frangible container is disclosed. A substantially rigid tubular member, closable at both ends if desired, is provided with a zone of reduced interior cross section. The tubular member is adapted to receive the frangible container and retain it in a position so that an annular space of decreasing dimension is formed adjacent the zone of reduced cross section of the tubular member. Means insertable into the annular space wedgedly engage the frangible container with sufficient force to rupture it.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle cover especially adapted to cover cars and trucks being moved in transit comprises at least one inflatable cell of flexible air-confining material that substantially conforms to the configuration of such vehicles, and has inflating means therein and means for securing said cover to said vehicles. Each inflatable cell is formed by two sheets of air-confining material sealed along their perimeters to form an enclosed space capable of being inflated with air. The inflatable car cover may have sub-cells formed by pressure-seaming of one large cell; or it may have more than one cell suitably joined together. The deflated cover is placed over the vehicle in such manner that all exterior surfaces are covered; the cover is then secured about the vehicle by either an elasticized circumference or perimeter-engaging straps; and the cover is then inflated prior to transit. Upon arrival of the vehicle at its destination the cover is deflated, removed and rolled up; it is then available for reuse.

Abstract: An improvement in bail-and-bucket, piston-type stapedial prostheses in which the bail is pivotally mounted to rotate about the open end of the bucket. Means are provided on the bucket for permitting overcenter pivotal movement of the bail in one direction and thereafter preventing overcenter pivotal movement of the bail in the opposite direction. The preferred means for accomplishing this function is an opposed pair of cam surfaces mounted on the bucket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the determination of trace amounts of chemicals in a system, as for example the immunoassay determination of hormones, peptides and drugs in biological fluids, applies photoelectrochemistry to the field of immunoassay. The apparatus and method comprise a photoelectrochemically active molecule as a label in an immunoassay system of labeled analyte, antibody sensitive to analyte, quencher and an electrochemical flow cell with light means. The photoelectrochemically active molecule upon photoexcitation transfers an electron to a quencher molecule; the oxidized molecule is subsequently reduced with an electron from an electrode of the flow cell which is held at suitable potential. This electron is measured as photocurrent.

Abstract: A biochemical test system is disclosed for use in a biological fermentation sterilization indicator. The carbohydrate component of a nutrient broth media is removed from the media. The carbohydrate component may be disposed in the cavity of an encapsulated sealed glass ampul which contains a non-carbohydrated test solution. Microorganism spores are also disposed in the cavity. Upon completion of sterilization the ampul is broken; the contents mix. Fermentation of viable spores yields growth and color change and is a positive test (unsatisfactory sterilization); no fermentation yields no growth, no color change and satisfactory sterilization. The separation of carbohydrate prevents non-microorganism fermentation in the test reaction, and the appearance of a "false positive".

Abstract: The present invention provides a container, package, or case and at the same time an article of surgical equipment for the storage, transportation, asepsis and surgical preparation of a medical device. The container is especially adapted for small, delicate, otic prostheses, the type used as a middle ear implant, such as a total or partial ossicular replacement prosthesis. The container comprises a base that constitutes a work area and has a first recessed area formed therein conforming to the shape and size of the prosthesis which it will carry. The end of this first recessed area opens laterally into a contiguous, coplanar second recessed area adapted in cooperation with the said work area to use in preparation of the prosthesis. Disposed on the base opposite the second recessed area and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first recessed area are measuring apparatus having a scale set perpendicular to the said longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A power system is provided that uses the latent heat of fusion of water to raise the potential energy of a working fluid to a level that upon release generates power, preferably electrical power. The system is self-sustaining except for the energy that is supplied in water entering the system. The inlet water can be at any temperature within its liquid range under atmospheric or super atmospheric pressure, can advantageously contain the sensible waste heat typical of effluent from fossil fuel or nuclear power plants, can be relatively pure or be contaminated as with sewage or be the medium of a colloidal suspension, or consist of marine or other saline waters. In every case, purification of the water by freezing, for example, desalination, is accomplished without additional power consumption.

Abstract: A low temperature method for the cleaning and disinfection of heat- and liquid-sensitive articles that are brought into physical contact with patients during diagnostic evaluation, surgery or therapy. These articles, such as endoscopes, bronchoscopes and related equipment are thus subject to contamination by microorganic pathogens and consequently may serve as transmittal agents for noscomial infection. In the method of this invention, quick, penetrating and adequate disinfection can be obtained by the use of a vapor consisting essentially of from 40 to 100% isopropanol and the remainder consisting predominantly of water vapor. The aforesaid articles are brought into direct contact and totally enveloping contact with the vapor at a temperature between 45.degree. C. and 65.degree. C. for a period effective to destroy the pathogens.When the articles are then removed from vapor contact, any condensed isopropanol on the surfaces of the article quickly evaporates.

Abstract: An improvement in an otic prosthesis of the type used in ossicular reconstruction of the sound-conducting mechanism of the middle ear is provided. The improvement comprises a movable joint which connects a head portion and a shaft portion whereby there is provided a flexible, variably angled prosthesis, which can be readily set in position in the middle ear against the tympanum during surgical implantation. The movable joint permits the so-connected shaft portion to move in at least a single plane normal to the head portion and can itself be readily set against either retained bony elements of the sound-conducting mechanism or against tissue grafted into the aperture (oval window) between the middle and the inner ear. The movable joint is responsive to tympanic vibrations and the prosthesis exerts a minimized pressure on the tympanum during surgical implantation and thereafter it also resists dislodgment within or extrusion from the middle ear.