Abstract: The present invention provides a method of improving reagent elution from a reagent strip comprising a handle on one end which is affixed an absorbent carrier impregnated with a reagent. The absorbent carrier is pressed against the handle by a thin mesh which is stuck or sealed on to the handle on opposite sides of the carrier.Another mesh is between the carrier and the handle. When the carrier is immersed in a liquid, the meshes improve the elution of the reagent into the liquid.

Abstract: An analytical element containing at least one reagent for dry analysis of analyte in a liquid sample, which contains a nondiffusive acid and a nondiffusive base in different phases, being capable of adjusting the surrounding pH of the reaction area of at least one reagent under fluid contact therebetween, and said at least one reagent is contained in said nondiffusive acid-containing phase or nondiffusive base-containing phase.

Abstract: A test strip has a reagent-containing film layer coating embedded at least preponderantly on and into only one side of a carrier layer made of a multifilar fabric or fleece.

Abstract: An oxygen analyzer which identifies and classifies microgram quantities of oxygen in ambient particulate matter and for quantitating organic oxygen in solvent extracts of ambient particulate matter. A sample is pyrolyzed in oxygen-free nitrogen gas (N.sub.2), and the resulting oxygen quantitatively converted to carbon monoxide (CO) by contact with hot granular carbon (C). Two analysis modes are made possible: (1) rapid determination of total pyrolyzable oxygen obtained by decomposing the sample at 1135.degree. C., or (2) temperature-programmed oxygen thermal analysis obtained by heating the sample from room temperature to 1135.degree. C. as a function of time. The analyzer basically comprises a pyrolysis tube containing a bed of granular carbon under N.sub.2, ovens used to heat the carbon and/or decompose the sample, and a non-dispersive infrared CO detector coupled to a mini-computer to quantitate oxygen in the decomposition products and control oven heating.

Abstract: The present invention provides for on-site capture of carbonaceous gas at sea, for isotopic examination. A capture box is utilized to provide trapping, stripping and combustion of a gas stream to permit methane analysis.

Abstract: Coagulation is detected in a fluid sample contained in either a gas flow cartridge or a plunger sensor cartridge, either one of which may be inserted in an actuator mechanism which has the capability of acting on either type of cartridge. Coagulation is detected in the gas flow cartridge by optically sensing the accumulation of coagulating liquid in a foam member at the top of the reaction chamber. In the plunger sensor cartridge, a plunger assembly is raised and released to descend through the sample of liquid in the bottom of the reaction chamber. The plunger assembly descends more slowly upon an increase in the viscosity of the fluid sample due to coagulation. Both cartridges include a lower reagent chamber, an upper reaction chamber, and means initially sealing and thereafter communicating the contents from the reagent chamber to the reaction chamber.

Abstract: An article and method for disinfecting a toilet bowl and providing the bowl water with a blue tint or hue, which tint or hue resists oxidation by the disinfecting agent. The article comprises a first product chamber containing a first cleaning composition, said composition including the dye Color Index Dye No. 52,035, and a second product chamber containing a second cleaning composition including a disinfectant agent selected from the group consisting of 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, 1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin 1-bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, dichloroisocyanuric acid and its sodium and potassium salts, and trichloroisocyanuric acid, the bowl water after the dispensing of the article having an available chlorine concentration of from about 0.1 to about 5.0 ppm, the weight ratio of available chlorine to dye being from about 1:1 to about 20:1. The Color Index Dye No.

Abstract: A visual indicator device and dosimeter in which a liquid crystal composition deposited on an opaque dark-colored carrier substrate undergoes color changes which depend on the concentration, and total quantity, of ethylene oxide to which the device has been exposed. The device serves both to monitor the concentration of ethylene oxide in the environment and to indicate a time-weighted average exposure.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning particles from a web is disclosed. An air flow is directed against the web through a pressure slit whereupon the air flow is deflected and guided along the web to two suction slits. The air flow is directed against the web by means of an nozzle in the shape of two expanding blades, which each are ended in an edge. Also the suction slits are surrounded by two blades and another two blades prevent the inlet of surrounding air. Each slit opens into a chamber, which each comprises an air distribution tube provided with rows of holes which are so adapted that the volume flow per length unit of the distribution tube of the slit will be essentially constant.

Abstract: A liquid sample holder having a fluid sample receptacle bounded by two substantially parallel sheets. The parallel sheets define a fluid analysis area, and adjacent to that area is a peripheral overflow. Air bubbles are trapped in the peripheral overflow because the distance between the plates is smaller than the depth or thickness of the peripheral overflow.

Abstract: A multiple profile reagent card for simultaneously or sequentially performing multiple analyses of analyte is formed by applying ribbons of reagent impregnated matrix material parallel to each other on a substrate and then removing portions of at least the matrix material to create separate matrices along each ribbon of matrix material. The multiple profile reagent card facilitates automatic processing of immunochemical, diagnostic and/or serological tests.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of biomethane from organic substances comprises a digester having a vat with a floor and a centrally located vertical axis. The vat is formed by a fixed foundation and vertical side walls. A central support pillar has a vertical axis coincident with the vertical axis of the vat and is movably joined to the foundation so that the pillar can rotate about the axis. The vat has an upper portion fixed to the central pillar and rotatably supported on the side walls. A cylindrical primary compartment is located inside the vat concentrically around the central pillar. A fixed vertical partition joins the floor and radially extends between the primary compartment and the side walls of the vat. A movable partition radially extends between the primary compartment and a side wall and is capable of moving about the central axis with the upper portion and central pillar. When the movable partition moves, all substances in the vat outside the primary compartment are displaced.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for suspending a seed crystal over a fixed crucible containing a melt from a rotary and axially operable vertically disposed drive adaptor comprising the steps of forming a tubular receptacle adapted to be detachably secured at its upper end coaxially to the adapter, and having an internal bore formed therein with an internal step near its lower end for supporting the seed. The seed is formed in the shape of a cylinder of a diameter to pass axially through the stepped bore of the receptacle and having its upper end conically tapered downwardly and inwardly from the upper end thereof. A split sleeve is formed to be receivable downwardly within the internal bore of the tubular receptacle except as limited by the internal steps of the bore of the receptacle. The sleeve has an internal conical taper complimentary to the taper of the upper end of the seed about which it is disposed before insertion of the seed and sleeve within the bore of the receptacle.

Abstract: There is presented an improved simple quantitative analytical element for analysis of components in a body fluid such as blood, having a reagent layer constituted of a hydrophilic colloid containing at least one reagent reactive with a component in a liquid sample provided on a support, and also a development layer of a fibrous structure on the reagent layer on the opposite side to the support. A liquid sample can be distributed uniformly through the reagent layer to enable quantitative analysis.

Abstract: An analysis test strip and a process for the production of analysis test strips with a longitudinal carrier upon which is fixed at least one test field. The test field material is produced batchwise in an amount sufficient for a plurality of test strips, and thereafter, in a chronologically separate working step, is continuously fixed in the form of at least one band onto a parallel-running substantially wider band of test strip carrier material. The band as a whole is cut up transversely to its longitudinal direction into a plurality of test strips. Prior to the cutting up, a bar code is applied to the carrier band running parallel to the edges thereof of such high information density that it is suitable as a store of batch-specific information necessary for the quantitative evaluation of the reaction which has previously been obtained by investigation of the test field material of one batch.

Abstract: A kit containing three tablets is used in a process for testing for formaldehyde and/or glutaraldehyde in a sensitive, rapid, and simple manner that is practical even when glucose is present. A first tablet containing citrus acid and glycine hydrochloride (or like buffer and strong acid, respectively) is placed in the test solution (suspected to contain formaldehyde and/or glutaraldehyde) with a tablet containing the necessary reagents for developing color. These reagents include benzoylacetone or its derivatives, and ammonium acetate. A third tablet containing effervescing material is added, causing mixing of the solution. The third tablet typically is composed of sodium hydroxide and potassium carbonate. The yellow color (if formaldehyde and/or glutaraldehyde are present) produced by the reaction is compared to colors on a color chart, and thereby the approximate amount of formaldehyde and/or glutaraldehyde present may be determined.

Abstract: Unsaturated iron-binding capacity in serum can be measured colorimetrically rapidly and easily by using an auto analyzer and using a reagent mixture comprising excess iron ions, a reducing agent for iron ions, and a hydroxy acid and/or a salt of a hydroxy acid together with a color-forming reagent solution.

Abstract: A test strip for analyzing a liquid sample has a carrier or handle, a slowly-absorbent layer fixed thereupon which slowly sucks up the liquid sample, a liquid impermeable layer fixer thereover, an absorbent reagent layer fixed thereover, and a mesh covering these, which mesh layer is fixed next to the slowly-absorbent layer on to the carrier. The mesh and layer portions of the test strip can thus be briefly immersed in the liquid sample with the carrier and withdrawn for observing the analyzing reaction of the reagent and liquid sample absorbed into the absorbent reagent layer through the mesh, the mesh serving to conduct excess liquid sample from the adjacent surface of the absorbent reagent layer to the still absorbent slowly-absorbent layer so that the excess liquid sample does not interfere with the observation of the reaction.

Abstract: A composition, test means (and device) and method for determining peroxidatively active substances in a test sample are disclosed. The composition, test means (and device) and method are rendered resistant to the adverse affects of ascorbate which may be present in the sample by the inclusion in the composition of a metal chelate which is polycarboxyalkylamine derivative having the formula: ##STR1## where: (a) R.sub.1 is hydrogen or straight or branched chain alkyl alcohol or alkyl carboxylic acid radicals having from 2 to 3 carbon atoms; R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.x and R.sub.y, same or different, are straight or branched chain alkyl alcohol or alkyl carboxylic acid radicals having from 2 to 3 carbon atoms; where at least two of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.x or R.sub.y are alkyl carboxylic acid radicals so defined;(b) R.sub.p and R.sub.

Abstract: A dry type multilayer analysis element for assaying a concentration of a specific component utilizing a competitive immunological reaction comprises a detection element comprising a detection layer which receives a labelled complex formed as a result of the competitive immunological reaction or an optically detectable change formed dependent upon an amount of the labelled complex of the specific component and having further provided thereon the detection layer a reaction layer comprising a fibrous porous medium containing fine particles therein. The multilayer analysis element absorbs an amount of a sample solution necessary for the competitive immunological reaction so that the multilayer analysis element has high sensitivity and high reproducibility.