Abstract: A sterilizable passageway for a sterilizable enclosure which includes an enclosure having an outer wall, which has a passageway therethrough. A collar lines a periphery of the passageway, the collar having a sealing surface and a heated surface. A heater is positioned to deliver heat to the heated surface of the collar to selectively heat the collar for sterilization. A selectively positionable door is moveable between an operating position wherein it is spaced away from the passageway to permit the passage of articles into or out of the enclosure and a sterilizing position wherein it substantially seals the passageway. This door optimally includes a gasket positioned to contact the sealing surface of the collar when the door is in its sterilizing position.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing peroxide concentration in a gaseous sterilant. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes a condenser for condensing the gaseous sterilant into a liquid condensate; an aliquot collector of predetermined volume to receive the condensate; a reaction chamber containing a catalyst for dissociating the peroxide; and a pressure monitor for detecting pressure changes in the reaction chamber as a function of time. The pressure monitor of this apparatus is capable of detecting a threshold pressure and an upper pressure and it includes a timer to measure time change between detection of the threshold pressure and the upper pressure.

Abstract: The present invention, in one embodiment, provides a testing apparatus for electronic components to monitor their behavior at elevated temperatures. The invention comprises a transport belt with at least one carrier attached to the transport belt, the carrier being capable of retaining an electronic component. The carriers are adapted to contact bus bars positioned adjacent the transport belt to electrically connect a component retained by the carrier to an electrical power supply. The apparatus includes means for ramping up the electrical power applied to the component from an initial low voltage to a second, testing voltage.

Abstract: A material heating oven for sterilizing items for use in a sterile environment or the like comprising a hot air supply device having a filter, a cool air supply device having a filter, an oven cavity separate from the hot air supply and cool air supply devices, and a dampering system for selectively drawing air from the hot air supply and cool air supply devices to regulate the temperature of the oven cavity. Both the hot air supply and cool air supply devices include independent air recirculation loops for maintaining substantially constant temperature airstreams from which selected quantities of air are exchanged with the oven cavity. The nearly constant temperature airstreams prevent the filters in the devices from being thermally stressed which may cause them to shed particles to the clean environment. An electrically controlled temperature control system is used to regulate the temperature of the airstream flowing through the hot air supply and cool air supply devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous material heating oven ideally suited for sterilizing and depyrogenating materials for introduction to a sterile environment. The oven includes a cool air supply means which is self-deprogenating eliminating the need for manual sterilization. A volumetric airflow control means is included with the cool air supply means for substantially linearly cooling materials to reduce breakage. Control means is provided by the system for maintaining the sterile environment at a greater positive pressure than its adjacent environments to protect the sterile environment from contamination.

Abstract: A conveyor for transporting articles to or from a clean room or from one place to another within a clean room. The conveyor has housings extending along either side of the path of conveyor travel. Extending between the housings are conveying members, usually metal rods, elongated perpendicularly to the path of conveyor travel. Each housing is slotted so that the ends of the conveying members may extend therethrough. Within each housing are rollers journaled to the ends of the conveying members and a track. The track receives and guides the rollers. Extending along and in air communication with each housing is a plenum, and between each housing and its plenum is an air restriction sheet that restricts the flow of air. The conveyor also includes a blower for drawing a partial vacuum within each plenum thus drawing a lesser vacuum in the housing. Each housing, plenum, air restriction sheet, and blower are arranged so that a pressure differential is created between the housing and plenum.

Abstract: A product testing system comprises a housing with at least one opening therein, the housing having an internal, environmentally controlled chamber. Products to be tested are mounted to a product carrier. The latter is carried, in turn, by a product carrier transfer assembly. By means of the vehicle and transfer assembly, the product carrier may be oriented to be received within the housing opening with the products exposed to the environmentally controlled internal housing chamber. In one embodiment, the vehicle traverses a path adjacent one or more housings, and the product carrier transfer assembly rotates, elevates and laterally moves the product carrier to position it in an opening in the housing.

Abstract: A fiber treatment oven is disclosed in which hot gas is flowed parallel to and between fiber pathways within the oven to reduce deflection and breakage of fibers and to reduce end-to-end temperature variations in the oven. Hot gas is emitted centrally of the oven and flows toward ends of the oven. Preferably, an additional, generally tubular stream of hot gas is emitted centrally of the oven and generally surrounds and envelopes the fiber pathways to reduce side-to-side temperature variations.

Abstract: An improvement in microwave processing units having a turntable disposed with a processing cavity, the improvement comprising tilting the processing cavity and establishing a cross-polarized energy field therein.

Abstract: A gas analyzer calibration apparatus. The apparatus operably connects between a monitored gaseous environment and a gas analyzer. The apparatus includes a vacuum pump for drawing test gases from the monitored environment through the apparatus and through the analyzer. A fluidic gate selectively allows or impedes the flow of test gases to the analyzer and provides calibration gases to the analyzer at the analyzer's demand rate, and may be heated to prevent the condensation of hot test gases flowing therethrough. The fluidic gate will pass both span calibration gases and zero calibration gases, as desired. A vacuum breaker provides atmospheric gases for use as a zero calibration gas.

Abstract: An oven having an electrical resistance heater and a heat exchanger to maintain a constant temperature in an oven chamber cavity. The heat exchanger is internal to the body of the oven and adjacent to the oven chamber cavity. Air is the exchange medium in the heat exchanger to achieve a balanced, cooling effect through direct air exhaust and also to achieve zero environment effect. An inert gas may be introduced into the oven chamber cavity during the heating process to reduce oxidation. Outside air may also be introduced into the oven during the heating process. Electrical circuitry provides for controlling the temperature range of the oven, for generating a signal for servo motor control of a damper in the heat exchanger, and a high limit temperature controller to disable the electrical resistance heater when an over temperature condition is reached.

Abstract: A gas monitor system to monitor combustable or flammable gases present in the exhaust flue of the monitored equipment and to adjust the damper on a real time basis as the system is operated to continuously adjust the concentration of combustible or flammable gases in the monitored equipment. The system also includes self-check calibration circuitry to regularly check that the system is in calibration and that the sensor element in the exhaust has not suffered from a sensitivity decrease. Calibration gas is fed to the sensor on a regular basis. If the calibration circuitry does not complete a proper timing cycle, the system is disabled indicating that the instrument is out of calibration or the sensor is defective.

Abstract: A convection oven of the rack type for treating goods, e.g., baking bread, including a rotating duct which sequentially delivers heated air to a series of ducts which distribute the heated air across the oven chamber according to a flow pattern which provides uniform treatment of the goods while maintaining the goods and the rack stationary with respect to the oven chamber.