Patents Examined by Barry S. Richman
  • Patent number: 4944923
    Abstract: An autoclave useful for pressure digestion of samples for chemical analysis, consisting of a closeable vessel containing the sample, which during operation sustains elevated temperatures and pressures. The autoclave has a PTFE (Teflon) beaker and lid, in direct contact with each other thus forming a tight seal with an excess-pressure release mechanism. The assembled vessel is held in a device that presses the sealing surfaces of the beaker and lid together, through pressure on a metallic lid support disc. The sealing surfaces of the beaker and lid are free-standing, which permits a direct release of excess-pressure and necessitates an extended clamping device for the lid support disc, which is fixed at a single point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignees: Wolfgang Schultz, Hans-Jurgen Brumsack, Norman Loftfield
    Inventors: Hartmut Heinrichs, Hans-Jurgen Brumsack, Norman Loftfield, Nils Konig
  • Patent number: 4942133
    Abstract: Procedure and apparatus for the continuous analysis of the chloride ion content of overhead waters downstream of a hydrocarbon distillation column for more effectively preventing hydrochloric acid corrosion of downstream equipment while avoiding over-neutralizing the overhead waters to the detriment of the hydrocarbon product. This procedure comprises the following operations, in the order given or in a different order:Drawing from the overhead waters a stream of water for analysis;removing from the sample so drawn the hydrocarbons as well as the suspended matter;blowing nitrogen into the sample to sweep away the hydrogen sulfide ans the residual hydrocarbons;oxidizing the S.sup.2- or HS.sup.- sulfide ions to sulfate ions;acidifying the sample;finally, measuring by ionometry, and more particularly by means of a combined electrode, the content of chloride ions present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Compagnie de Raffinage et de Distribution
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Pauly, Gerard Roussel
  • Patent number: 4942018
    Abstract: Solvent composition gradients in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are generated with a packed bed gradient generator. Natural dispersion occurs in flow through a bed of particles due to eddy and molecular diffusion. This dispersion changes a sharply defined front between two solvents into a desirable error function type gradient profile at the interface between the solvents. The packed-bed gradient generator is a cylindrical tube filled with chemically inert glass beads. Other axial column contours such as a double taper column or bell-shaped entrance and exit regions can be used to tailor the gradient profile. The static packed-bed gradient generator can be placed either on the low pressure inlet side of the high pressure pump, or the high pressure outlet side of the pump. While low pressure operation may provide added convenience, high pressure operation provides additional pulse dampening ability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: LDC Analytical Inc.
    Inventor: Miner N. Munk
  • Patent number: 4940853
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for growing tissue specimens in vitro wherein the apparatus includes an expandable membrane for receiving a tissue specimen thereon, a mechanism for expanding the membrane and the tissue specimen, and a controller for controlling the expanding mechanism. The controller is operative in accordance with the method for applying an activity pattern to the membrane and a tissue specimen thereon which includes simultaneous continuous stretch activity and repetitive stretch and release activity. The continuous stretch activity and the repetitive stretch and release activity simulate the types of activity to which cells are exposed in vivo due to growth and movement, respectively, and they cause the cells of tissue specimens grown in the apparatus in accordance with the method to develop as three-dimensional structures similar to those grown in vivo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Inventor: Herman H. Vandenburgh
  • Patent number: 4938933
    Abstract: A medical and surgical instrument cleaning and disinfecting device consisting of a tubular body whose one end is open and whose other end is equipped with a liquid collection tank is shown. The detector senses the presence of an instrument inside of the tubular body and controls pressurized diffusion of a nebulized disinfection product which is sprayed on the instrument. A suction device pulls disinfection spray towards a reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Inventor: Jean J. M. V. A. Perrot
  • Patent number: 4938932
    Abstract: A monolithic catalyst bed for use in a catalytic gas generator includes catalytically-active metal screens having central openings and being composed of fine particles of catalyst supported by wires arranged in grid-like fashion. The bed also includes an injector tube having an end portion disposed through the central openings of the metal screens for mounting the metal screens in closely spaced side-by-side, stack-like relation extending outwardly from and radially about the tube end portion. The injector tube end portion is closed at its outer end and defines a passage for receiving an axial inflow of liquid propellant. The bed also includes an injector body supporting the injector tube and disposed at one end of the stack of metal screens, and a base plate mounted about the injector tube end portion adjacent to the closed outer end thereof and disposed at an opposite end of the stack of metal screens so as to define an annular space therebetween and about the injector tube end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventor: William K. Burke
  • Patent number: 4938926
    Abstract: A test device for colorimetric measurement of chlorine in disinfectant water comprising an iodometric reagent enclosed within a reducing fluid incorporated within a valved enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Inventor: Andre Reiss
  • Patent number: 4938930
    Abstract: A reaction vessel has a catalytic core, with an inlet for a first gas and for a second gas. The first and second gasses react in an exothermic reaction during passage through the catalytic core. The first gas passes through conduits which extend through the catalytic core, so as to be preheated and also so as to cool the catalytic core so that the catalyzed reaction proceeds in a preferred temperature range. The gasses are mixed at one end of the vessel in a mixing chamber, and are drawn through the catalytic core into a gathering chamber, from which the reacted gasses exit. A cooling chamber is provided for introduction of a cooling fluid about the periphery of the catalytic core, for drawing away any excess heat during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Shinkawa, Daisaku Shozen, Kazuto Kobayashi, Hiroshi Makihara, Kensuke Niwa, Kazuhiro Morita, Masaaki Kuwa, Murayama Katsutoshi
  • Patent number: 4937047
    Abstract: An analytical element for analyzing a specific component in a liquid sample, comprising a light-transmissive and liquid-impermeable support having thereon successively a first reagent layer and a second reagent layer, and a porous spreading layer provided above said second reagent layer, and containing an electron transport agent, a dye-forming precursor material, an oxidized type coenzyme, a buffering agent and at least one reagent capable of converting said oxidized type coenzyme to a reduced type coenzyme through a specific component in a liquid sample, wherein said oxidized type coenzyme is contained in said porous spreading layer, and a lactate dehydrogenase inhibitor is contained in at least one of said second reagent layer and said porous spreading layer.According to this invention, error originating from LDH and lactic acid present in a biological liquid sample can be eliminated and the accuracy of analysis can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Konishiroku Photo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Morio Kobayashi, Seiji Hidaka, Takashi Ishihara, Isao Haga, Hiroshi Iwadate
  • Patent number: 4937051
    Abstract: A continuous reactor system useful for treating petroleum oil in a multi-phase fixed bed catalytic reactor comprising a system for:feeding the oil and a reactant gas at production flow rates above a first bed of porous solid catalyst particles under conversion conditions for cocurrent downward flow therethrough, collecting and withdrawing the treated oil from the first bed and redistributing at least a portion of the treated oil to at least one succeeding catalyst bed while permitting the gaseous phase to flow directly to the succeeding lower catalyst bed, recycling a quantity of treated oil collected below a catalyst bed and reapplying the treated oil at a preceding redistribution zone above the bed from which treated oil is collected, whereby the total of oil production flow rate and recycled treated oil flow rate is maintained at a predetermined minimum sufficient to effect uniform catalyst wetting. This technique is useful for hydrodewaxing of oils over zeolite catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Graven, John C. Zahner
  • Patent number: 4937046
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for sterilizing articles includes a sealed first enclosure made at least partially of a gas-permeable plastic film and a sealed container releasably containing a gaseous sterilant under pressure, the container being enclosed within the first enclosure. An openable second enclosure made at least partially of a gas-permeable plastic film is also provided and the first enclosure and the articles to be sterilized are disposed in the second enclosure. The sterilant which is characterized by toxicity and flammability when released from its container diffuses from the first enclosure into the second enclosure at a rate capable of establishing sterilization conditions in the second enclosure during a sterilization cycle to thereby effect sterilization of the articles in the second enclosure. A third enclosure is also provided in which the second enclosure containing the articles to be sterilized is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: H. W. Andersen Products Inc.
    Inventors: Harold W. Andersen, William K. Anderson, Charles H. Harrison
  • Patent number: 4937198
    Abstract: A novel fluorescent dye, PUR-1, having the structural formula ##STR1## is disclosed that will preferentially stain nucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Linda G. Lee, Patrick D. Mize
  • Patent number: 4937007
    Abstract: A process for inhibiting the deposit of paraffins in crude oils and petroleum fractions incorporating additives of the family of N-substituted succinimide ethers. The additives according to the invention make it possible, on the one hand, to maintain in dispersion the whole range of paraffins improving the flowing properties of crude oils and, on the other, to prevent the deposit of the heavier paraffins on the walls. Therefore, the process is effective during both the storage and the transportation of crude petroleum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Societe Nationale Elf Aquitaine
    Inventors: Bernard Damin, Alain Faure, Paul Maldonado, Jean-Luc Volle
  • Patent number: 4935206
    Abstract: A process for the measuring of flat discoloration zones of an indicator substrate, which is transported into a measuring position and treated with a gaseous test medium there, is improved with regard to the measuring dynamic and the construction of the apparatus by producing a flow of the test medium along the surface of the section of an indicator substrate held in a measuring position, by providing several optical control zones staggered in the longitudinal direction of the test flow and by connecting it with an electronic evaluation instrument for the production of the measurement in such a way that the actual measure value is formed from the measuring of the discoloration of the indicator substrate along the control zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Dragerwerk AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Heim
  • Patent number: 4935210
    Abstract: A reactor for heterogeneous synthesis with reduced energy consumption. The reactor includes two cylindrical walls that are at least partly perforated and which annularly deliminate the catalytic beds. An outer wall (Fe) has height (Hi) and a diameter (Di) that is slightly smaller than diameter (Dc) of cartridge (C). An internal, cylindrical wall (Fi) has a height (H'i) and a diameter (D'i) much smaller than diameter (Di). The diameter (D'i) is about equal to diameter (Dt) of a central tube (T) which is an outlet for reacted gas (RG). The top of the cylindrical wall (Fi) is closed by a cover (CO) and is located at a distance (D) from the upper edge of the external wall of the basket (Fe). The basket is closed at its bottom by a tapered wall (PR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignees: Ammonia Casale S.A., Umberto Zardi
    Inventors: Umberto Zardi, Giorgio Pagani
  • Patent number: 4935205
    Abstract: A method of inhibiting corrosion of iron or iron-based alloys which are in contact with an aqueous system by introducing and maintaining within the system at least one ortho dihydroxyaromatic compound having at least one electron withdrawing group pendant from the aromatic ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Robert P. Kreh, Joseph T. Lundquist, Wayne L. Henry
  • Patent number: 4935209
    Abstract: A reactor can apply a reactant to a gas flow that is conveyed through a vessel. The vessel has an inlet and an outlet for receiving and discharging, respectively, this gas flow. Also included is a spray nozzle mounted in the vessel for spraying the reactant therein at a given flow rate. The reactor also includes a horn mounted in the vessel for acoustically vibrating the reactant at an energy level sized to evaporate the reactant substantially completely, prior to reaching the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Belco Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Billy D. Pfoutz
  • Patent number: 4933011
    Abstract: An antimicrobial solution of a microbiologically active organo sulfonyl ethylene, isoindole dicarboximide or zinc hydroxypyridine thionate dissolved in an organo phosphorus compound selected from the group consisting of organophosphites and organophosphonates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Morton Thiokol, Inc.
    Inventor: Nuno M. Rei
  • Patent number: 4933150
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of and apparatus for reducing the level of extremely small catalyst particles ("fines") in an FCC system by temporarily retaining particles separated from the secondary cyclone separator in a reactor vessel or catalyst regenerator. These particles can be intermittently withdrawn from the temporary retaining area in order to achieve particle flow at a low volume rate, which takes them out of the active catalyst inventory within the reactor/regenerator system. The intermittent withdrawing of catalyst "fines" reduces the particulate contamination both in flue gas exhausted to the atmosphere from the catalyst regenerator and in the main column bottom (MCB) products from the fractionation stage. Preferred embodiments include intermittent withdrawal of "fines" from either the regenerator or the reactor vessels and the secondary cyclones contained in each of these vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corp.
    Inventors: James H. Haddad, Hartley Owen, Klaus W. Schatz
  • Patent number: 4933293
    Abstract: A method for classifying leukocytes with a flow cytometer by means of optical measurements on fluorochrome-stained blood cells is useful in the practice of clinical testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: TOA Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kuroda, Takashi Sakata