Abstract: A surgical gown includes three arm holes, two of which have long covered sleeves. The third arm hole is a large opening in an extended side panel having a shoulder band along one edge to permit the length of the upper arm between the shoulder and elbow to pass through. A pull tab or donning tab is secured to the band, and is intended to be manipulated by an assistant during the donning of the gown. In the closed position, the extended panel completely covers the back and overlaps the other side and a front portion of the gown, with the band secured around the shoulder and sleeve. The front panel and lower sleeves are formed of material having a low bacteria and fluid permeability to avoid possible contamination. The pull tab may include a test pattern which serves as an indicator of sterility when the gown is sterilized before use.The sterile surgical gown is donned by completely wrapping it around the wearer to provide a secure enclosure which requires no fasteners or ties.

Abstract: Apparatus for accepting an initially presented population of randomly oriented container caps and providing an output in-line stream of said caps wherein the open ends of the caps face in an upward direction to facilitate further processing of the caps. The apparatus comprises a feeder bowl for accepting the randomly oriented caps, and feeding from an output port thereof, an in-line stream of caps oriented in a substantially horizontal plane. An inclined twisting chute extends from the output of the feeder bowl. This chute receives the in-line stream of caps and twists the plane of advance of same through 90.degree., whereby the caps are reoriented to a stream wherein their diameters are substantially in a vertical plane.

Abstract: Magnetic separating apparatus is disclosed which includes means for establishing a magnetic field in a predetermined zone, a separating chamber having an inlet and an outlet for fluid, fluid-permeable and magnetizable material disposed within the separating chamber, ferromagnetic shielding means for magnetically screening a zone remote from the predetermined zone; and means for moving the separating chamber between the predetermined zone and the remote zone. When within one of the remote zones, a separating chamber is screened from the magnetic field applied by the magnet within the predetermined zone, and thus the packing material within the separating chamber may be particularly efficiently regenerated within this zone. This regeneration may e.g. be carried out by passing clean water through the packing material, optionally after having demagnetized the packing material, in order to flush out magnetizable particles from collecting sites within the packing material.

Abstract: Paper or cardboard products are manufactured by mixing an aqueous solution or dispersion of a cationic starch with an aqueous suspension of a kaolinitic clay filler, and adding the resulting mixture to a stock of cellulosic fibres to form a furnish containing the kaolinitic clay filler, the cationic starch and the cellulosic fibres, which furnish is then formed into the desired paper or cardboard products, the amount of shear to which the mixture containing the clay filler and cationic starch is subjected being controlled to ensure that the furnish contains flocs of clay filler and cationic starch of a desired size.

Abstract: A separating chamber for a magnetic separator is disclosed, which includes a rigid canister having an inlet and an outlet for fluid, and a packing of magnetizable material disposed within the canister so that, in use, fluid supplied to the inlet passes through the magnetizable material towards the outlet. Plates are spaced apart within the packing material and disposed substantially along the general direction of flow of the fluid through the packing material, whereby the plates act to limit permanent deformation of the packing material by magnetic forces acting on said material upon the chamber being moved axially into and out of a zone in which a magnetic field is established.

Abstract: A rotary magnetic separator is disclosed which includes a ferromagnetic rotor provided with a plurality of arcuate separating chambers supported at its periphery. Each separating chamber comprises an inlet for feed suspension in its bottom coupled to a pump by way of a flexible pipe, and an outlet for feed suspension in its top, there being a fluid permeable and magnetizable packing material between the inlet and outlet. Two electromagnet poles are magnetically coupled to the rotor which serves as a further pole. The rotor can be turned by a motor so as to move certain separating chambers into the vicinity of the electromagnet poles. Feed suspension can then be supplied to these separating chambers and magnetizable particles from the feed suspension may become entrained in the packing material. Subsequently the rotor can be turned back to its original position and these separating chambers can be flushed out with clean water.

Abstract: A steam and hot liquid dispensing device has a pressure sealable container in which liquid under pressure is heated to produce steam and/or super-heated liquid. A dispensing mechanism includes a valve device which selectively delivers steam or super-heated liquid through separate outlets from the heated container.

Abstract: A variable size deflector disc directs cooling gas to the internal surfaces of a tubular plastic film drawn between an extruder die and a pair of rollers. The disc facilitates the starting process for pulling a narrow diameter tubing from the extruder over the disc to the rollers. The plastic tub can then be readily enlarged to the final maximum diameter followed by expansion of the deflector disc to control the flow of cooling gas. The disc is preferably in the form of an iris having a plurality of pivotable leaves which can be expanded outwardly from a contracted position. The outer edge of the leaves are designed to provide a relatively smooth rounded circumference of the variable diameter disc throughout the variation in diameter between the minimum and maximum tube dimensions for the tubular plastic film process. The expandable disc permits more efficient cooling and more rapid production of the plastic film.

Abstract: A gasification device having an overall density greater than that of water is suspended by chains over six foot down in a body of waste water about nine foot deep in a treatment vessel of a waste water treatment plant. The device is about one and a half foot tall and one and a half foot in diameter. The device is ring-like to define a generally annular enclosed chamber for receiving, through an inlet, gas to be introduced into the waste water. The longitudinal axis passing through the plane of said ring is vertically oriented. The central opening of said ring defines a passageway for induced upward flow of the water. A constriction about six inches long and six inches in diameter is defined at the middle of the passageway and is provided with a circumferential row of 5/16 inch holes communicating with the annular chamber. As gas flows into the constriction from the holes the resulting ascending bubble stream induces flow of water upwardly through the passageway.

Abstract: A process for treating a clay mineral of the kandite group comprising forming a fluid aqueous suspension of the clay mineral, the suspension having a solids content in the range of from 60% to 75% by weight and a pH in the range of from 7.0 to 11.0 and the suspension containing a dispersing agent to deflocculate the clay mineral; and treating the fluid suspension of clay containing the dispersing agent with a water-soluble reducing bleaching agent under alkaline pH conditions for a time sufficient to give the desired improvement in brightness of the clay. Preferably, the clay mineral suspension is subjected to a particle size separation process at said solids content to reduce the percentage of particles larger than 10.mu.m to not more than 3% by weight. Advantageously, the viscosity of the clay mineral suspension during the particle size separation process is below 2 poise.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting system is disclosed, especially adapted for suspended installation from overhead support members at a roof or other enclosure which includes energy-transmissible portions for enabling the solar energy to be rendered incident on the system. The system comprises a flexible, relatively thin sheet, which includes a solar energy-reflecting surface. Frame means are provided, which are securable to a plurality of parallel spaced, strip-like zones on the sheet, the frame means being adapted to form the sheet at the said zones into parabolic arcs, with the reflective surface residing on the concave side of such arcs. The frame means are adapted to maintain the sheet in a taut condition between the spaced parabolically-arced zones, thereby maintaining the sheet in the configuration of a line-generated parabolic surface. Energy conversion means are disposed along the line of foci of the surface, for receiving reflected solar energy and converting same into a further utilizable energy form.

Abstract: In the process for producing a refined kaolin clay pigment by forming a crude kaolin clay into an aqueous slurry, performing a particle size classification, and subjecting the slurry to reductive bleaching with an alkali metal hydrosulfite; a method is disclosed for reducing the viscosity of a slurried product including the refined pigment, which method comprises adding a source of barium ion to the said bleached slurry, to thereby precipitate at least the sulfate ion present in that slurry from oxidation of the hydrosulfite ion during the bleaching step. The barium ion may be derived, e.g., from barium carbonate, which is added while the slurry preferably includes at least a 50% solids content by weight. The bleached slurry may be one which has been partially purified by an initial flotation, and which includes at least 99% by weight of particles less than 5 microns E.S.D., with substantially 100% by weight of the particles having an E.S.D. less than 10 microns.

Abstract: A composition which is hydrophobic but possesses excellent wettability comprising a copolymer of a polysiloxane and an ester of glycidyl alcohol and an organic acid. This copolymer is suitable for the manufacture of ocular membranes worn in contact with the eye which present excellent oxygen permeability and which can be worn for extremely long periods of time and then disposed of.A method of preparing the ocular membranes is disclosed, in which the composition is placed between disposable molds and cured therein. The cured, mechanically and optically finished ocular membranes are recovered by the destruction of said molds and without secondary operations.The ocular membrane is a flexible, oxygen-permeable, membrane, adapted to be inserted on the eye and worn thereon continuously for periods of more than one month.

Abstract: A container for liquids includes a mixing cartridge extending from a gasket into the neck of the container. The mixing cartridge is asymmetrically disposed with respect to the container to allow a piercing member extending into the container from the cap of the container to be disposed in the container without piercing the cartridge in a storage position. The cartridge is pierced and the contents of the cartridge are mixed with liquid in the container by relative movement of the cartridge and the piercing member of the container so that the piercing member will extend through the cartridge both to pierce the upper and lower surfaces of the cartridge and to provide a flow-path for the contents of the cartridge into the container.

Abstract: A cleansing and applicator device is disclosed, which is especially useful in treatment of the perineal area of the human anatomy. The device comprises a generally conically shaped applicator body, formed preferably of a good heat conductor, the device being hollow and closed at the base thereof by a removable cap, whereby a cooling or heating liquid may be provided to the body interior. A flexible and compressible covering structure for effecting cleansing and treatment is fitted about and thereby encloses at least the portion of the applicator body including the apex. The covering structure preferably includes multiple layers, including at least one moisture-absorbent layer. The applicator body may include a necked-in portion toward the base thereof, so that the covering structure can be frictionally secured to the body, such as with an elastic band or a clamp.

Abstract: In a method of dewatering by pressure filtration an aqueous suspension of a clay containing a small proportion of particles having an equivalent spherical diameter smaller than 1 micron, the improvement which comprises treating the aqueous suspension of the clay, prior to dewatering by pressure filtration at a pressure in excess of 150 pounds per square inch, with a water-soluble polyelectrolyte flocculant having a high density of positive charges.

Abstract: An I.V. needle carrier assembly is disclosed which includes a delta-shaped base plate and an I. V. needle carrier-receiving barrel secured to the base plate and extending along the axis of symmetry thereof, so that the forward open end of the barrel resides at the apex of the delta. An I.V. needle carrier is slidingly received within the barrel and means are provided for sliding the carrier between a rearward position at which the needle tip is axially retracted within the barrel, and a forward position at which the needle tip is fully extended through the barrel front open end, whereby the needle may be inserted into the blood vessel of a patient. Adhesion means are affixed to the upper surfaces of the base plate at alternate sides of the barrel. These means include portions extendable beyond the lateral perimeter of the delta for anchoring the plate to the skin of the patient upon the needle being received into the blood vessel.

Abstract: A method of comminuting a solid material comprising calcium carbonate to obtain a product containing at least 60% by weight of particles smaller than 2 microns equivalent spherical diameter comprises forming an aqueous suspension of the solid material which has a solids content in the range of from 5% to 50% by weight of dry solids and contains a dispersing agent, comminuting the solid material in the suspension by agitating the suspension in admixture with a particulate grinding medium, separating from the suspension thereby obtained an aqueous suspension containing comminuted solid material at least 60% by weight of which is smaller than 2 microns equivalent spherical diameter, flocculating the comminuted solid material by means of an electrolyte having a multivalent cation, and dewatering the aqueous suspension containing the comminuted and flocculated solid material.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing a natural calcitic ore to yield a finely divided calcium carbonate particulate of very high brightness characteristics. The natural calcitic ore is initially coarse-milled to produce a product wherein no more than 5% by weight of the particulate is +325 mesh, and no more than 35% by weight of the particles are of less than 2 microns E.S.D. This coarse-milled product is then subjected as an aqueous slurry including less than 40% solids, to a froth flotation, which separates with the froth the relatively coarse colorbodies liberated in the initial grinding. The purified underflow is then dewatered to at least 60% solids by weight, and is wet-milled, as for example in a sand mill, to yield an output product wherein at least 80% by weight of the resultant particulate has an E.S.D. of less than 2 microns, the product being further characterized by a brightness of at least 94 on the G.E. scale.

Abstract: A tube pressure filter comprising inner and outer compartments separated by an impermeable elastic sleeve includes an inlet to the inner compartment which is located in an upper end section of the tube pressure filter and includes a feed distribution system which comprises a substantially annular aperture extending around said upper end section debouching into the inner compartment of said tube pressure filter, said substantially annular aperture being (a) constructed and disposed so that, in use, feed material debouching therefrom has a downward component of velocity and (b) in communication with an antechamber formed in said upper end section into which antechamber a mixture to be pressure filtered can be introduced under pressure through a feed conduit.