Abstract: An automatic device for inoculating a sample on a substrate with a dilution mechanism formed by a head that holds a stylus in cooperation with a first dilution tank and a second dilution tank to dilute an original sample in at least one sub-sample and for inoculating the sub-sample on a substrate.

Abstract: An automatic inoculating system for depositing a sample on a substrate in a predetermined pattern. A turret is rotatable about a vertical axis, and an arm retained by the turret is pivotable about a horizontal axis. A stylus retained at a distal portion of the arm sucks up and dispenses the sample, such as by use of a pumping system in fluidic communication with the stylus. A support rotatably retains the substrate. The arm can be raised and lowered, such as by a cylinder on which the arm rests without a retaining mechanical connection therebetween. The arm can thus freely lift off the cylinder as when the stylus contacts the surface of the substrate. The sample can thus be deposited on the substrate in a predetermined pattern by a dispensing from the stylus in combination with rotation of the turret and the substrate and a pivoting of the arm.

Abstract: An automatic device for inoculating a sample on a substrate with a dilution mechanism formed by a head that holds a stylus in cooperation with a first dilution tank and a second dilution tank to dilute an original sample in at least one sub-sample and for inoculating the sub-sample on a substrate.

Abstract: A method and device for the gravimetric and in-series distribution of a predetermined quantity of a solution. The device has a delivery mechanism for delivering a solution, a weighing mechanism and a mechanism for measuring an operating value to establish a setpoint value of the delivery mechanism during a calibration step during which the weighing mechanism is used for the delivery of a predetermined quantity of solution. The device also has an actuating mechanism to actuate the delivery mechanism with the setpoint value to carry out one or more distribution steps with the delivery of the predetermined quantity of solution without using the weighing mechanism.

Abstract: A supplying system for an automatic inoculating machine for a sample on a substrate, characterized in that it includes a turret mobile in rotation, preferably around an axis substantially vertical, and an arm mobile in rotation, preferably around an axis substantially horizontal, carried by the turret, at a distal end of the aforesaid arm including means to fix a stylus, and means for raising or lowering the arm.

Abstract: A removable stem for handling and transporting articles such as optical lens blanks during “wet processing” is disclosed. The stem is dimensioned and configured to support such articles particularly in liquid baths, while directing “wet” materials along the surface of the stem and away from flow onto the article. The stem further provides a drip collection point to avoid disturbing the surface of a “wet bath” while an article is immersed in the bath.

Abstract: In a conveyor work-piece processing system, transport carriages move along a work path, each carriage carrying a plurality of work-piece articles. In the disclosed embodiment, the path is folded back upon itself forming two parallel paths, one above the other, with transport carriages moved vertically from the lower path to the upper path, so that the entrance to the track and the exit from the track are positioned in close proximity to each other. Each transport carriage has a long dimension and a relatively shorter dimension, and each carriage can be reoriented selectively so that the long dimension or the short dimension can be aligned parallel to the work path. Changing the alignment of the two dimensions relative to the direction of the path permits a work piece to remain for a longer time within a given process stage or area along the work path while achieving a system flow-rate of one carriage-in-one carriage-out.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus and method for facilitating surface treatment of articles of manufacture of the type having a given handling surface, such as, for example, blank forms for optical lenses, includes a support for holding the article in a stable position, a source for sequentially aligning elongate stem elements in a desired orientation relative to the article, a mechanism for advancing a free end of the stem into contact with the article, and a securing mechanism [26] for attaching the free end of the stem element to the article so that the stem extends from the article to serve as a handle for manipulation and support during processing. The handle is removed by cutting or breaking away.

Abstract: A mass transfer system offers the simultaneous transfer and time-saving efficiencies transfer techniques, while also offering the flexibility of prior-art free techniques. A mass transfer mechanism and an associated software control mechanism are equipped with the ability to retract a plurality of lifting arms (6), in a manner so select which of the processing stages (2) the lifting arms (6) will address for each transfer step, while omitting those steps for which transfer is not yet required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a robot for handling and processing of a semiconductor wafer. In particular, the robot is used to transfer wafers from a variety of wafers holding devices to a number of processing locations. After the wafer is placed in position, the robot places the vacuum wand in a temporary parking position and engages a different tool to process the wafer. In subsequent stages, yet another tool is engaged by the same robot to handle the chemistry used in the process.

Abstract: Therapeutic compounds and compositions for the treatment of infectious diseases are disclosed. The compounds are xanthones and xanthone derivatives, such as 3,5-bis-&egr;-(N,N-diethylamino)amyloxyxanthone. The described compositions include such compounds and a pharmaceutical carrier. These compositions also can include additional materials conventionally used to form therapeutic compositions. 3,5-bis-&egr;-(N,N-diethylamino)amyloxyxanthone has an IC50 for Plasmodium falciparum of about 0.15 &mgr;M, and an IC50 for Leishmania mexicana of <<0.5 &mgr;M. These compositions are additionally useful for forming soluble complexes with heme and porphyrins.

Abstract: Therapeutic compositions for the treatment of infectious diseases are disclosed. These compositions comprise xanthones and xanthone derivatives, such as 2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyxanthone. Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of infectious diseases using such compounds.

Abstract: A system for drying microelectronic, optical and other parts that in the course of their processing are rendered wet with solvents or other liquids, which if not fully evaporated from the parts will contaminate and impair their quality. The system includes an open-ended drying chamber having a work zone intermediate its sides in which the parts to be dried are supported for exposure to a gas stream. One end of the chamber defines a gas inlet to admit the gas stream which sweeps the entire chamber. Coupled to the drying chamber is a pressure chamber in which a submicron particle filter unit of the Hepa type producing a relatively low pressure drop is disposed to cover the gas inlet.

Abstract: A work transfer system conveying a work basket in a programmed sequence to the processing tanks of an assembly thereof at various positions on a work bench. The system acts to transfer the basket to a selected tank and to properly orient the basket with respect to this tank before lowering the basket therein for processing for a given dwell period, at the conclusion of which the basket is hoisted from the tank and transferred to another tank where the procedure is repeated. Running parallel to the front side of the bench is a rail on which a robot rides, the robot supporting a hoist carriage which can be raised or lowered. Cantilevered from the carriage is a main arm articulated by an elbow shaft to a forearm that extends over the bench. The forearm is joined by a hand shaft depending therefrom to a hand that engages the handle of the work basket. A main arm motor acts to rotate the elbow shaft and thereby swing the forearm to a position generally aligning the basket with a selected tank therebelow.

Abstract: A work transfer system conveying a work basket in a programmed sequence to the processing tanks of an assembly thereof placed at various positions on a work bench. The system acts to transfer the basket to a selected tank and to properly orient the basket with respect to this tank before lowering the basket therein for processing during a given dwell period, at the conclusion of which the basket is hoisted from the tank and transferred to another tank where the procedure is repeated. Running along the front of the bench is a rail on which a robot is driven to a position in the proximity of the selected tank, the robot supporting a hoist which can be raised or lowered. Cantilevered from the hoist and extending transversely across the bench is a hollow arm having a trolley therein provided with a turntable whose spindle projects upwardly to join the upper end of a loop which encircles the arm, the loop being provided at its lower end with a hand that engages the work basket.

Abstract: A mechanized work transfer system in which a robot assembly riding on a horizontal rail and driven by an external motor acts to convey a basket carrying work along a row of processing stages on a work bench. The assembly includes a robot provided with an elevator operated by an internal motor which serves to lower the basket at each stage on the work bench and to deposit it into a processing tank for a predetermined dwell period, after which the basket is hoisted out of the tank and transferred to another stage where the procedure is repeated. To render the assembly substantially immune to corrosive vapors emanating from the tanks, the robot housing is sectioned into left and right compartments, the left compartment being reserved for those moving and stationary components which can be fabricated of corrosion-resistant materials.

Abstract: An automatic work transfer system for conveying a basket carrying work through a row of processing stages at a work station in any desired sequence. The basket is lowered into a tank at each stage and oriented therein for processing for a predetermined dwell period, at the conclusion of which the basket is hoisted out of the tank and transferred to the next stage where the procedure is repeated. The system includes a supporting rail laterally displaced from the row of stages and parallel thereto. Riding on the rail is a robot provided with a pair of vertical shafts supported on an elevator. Cantilevered from the shafts are a pair of arms which extend over the stages, the ends of the arms being pivotally connected to a cross piece. Depending from the center of the cross piece is a rod terminating in a hand adapted to engage the handle of the basket.

Abstract: A heat exchange assembly for raising a process fluid, such as ultra-pure, de-ionized water, to an elevated temperature without adversely affecting the quality thereof includes coaxially-arranged inner and outer pipes, the annular space therebetween defining a flow passage for the fluid to be heated. The inner pipe is formed of high-strength metal of good thermal conductivity and encloses a heat source, such as steam, circulating heated fluid or an electric heater. The inner pipe is ensheathed by an extruded heat-shrinkable plastic tube of non-reactive material, such as PTFE or polypropylene not exceeding 7 mils in thickness, which is shrunk-fit thereon to form one wall of the flow passage. The opposing wall of the passage is formed by the interior surface of the outer pipe which is also constituted by non-reactive plastic material such as PTFE or polypropylene.