Abstract: Apparatus for the asepticizing by heat of soft contact lenses, wherein the lenses are placed in an autoclave which through automatic action raises and maintains them above a temperature level and for a duration to kill the germs, bacteria, and viruses which might otherwise be harmful to the wearer of such lenses.

Abstract: An odor control device for use with an air passage of a main heating and/or air conditioning system having a blower. The device has a body with an air flow chamber therein, a panel secured to the body and having an air inlet port for admitting air into the chamber, a rotatable plate mounted on the panel, and a container for odor conditioning material mounted on the rotatable plate and preferably held thereon by a magnetic bar attached to the plate and attracting a perforated metal plate in the container, thereby permitting the container to be easily removed from the plate and attached thereto. The panel and plates have communicating arcuate inlet and outlet passages to permit the air to pass from the chamber in the body to the container and thence to the conduit of the main system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning carpet. The pile of the carpet is first lifted, opened and agitated by stiff rotating brushes and beater bars, separating the foreign matter therein from the pile and bringing the matter to the surface of the carpet. The carpet is then vacuumed removing the separated matter therefrom. A film of cleaning agent is then sprayed through a hand-held wand over the carpet encapsulating the carpet fibers. The wand communicates with a portable pressurized supply of cleaning agent. After a short setting, the carpet is scrubbed with counter-rotating or rotary brushes. The agent is then allowed to dry and the residue removed with a vacuum.

Abstract: The growth of fungi, algae and bacteria, including sulfate reducing bacteria, is inhibited by applying an effective amount of a lower alkyl tri-n-octyl phosphonium diphenyl phosphate.

Abstract: Substances, particularly wood, which are normally subject to deterioration due to marine borers are preserved by applying to the substance certain 4-(3-phenylpropenylidene)-2,5-cyclohexadieneones substituted at position 5 with substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, and hydrogen, and at position 2 with substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl and lower alkoxyl.

Abstract: Enhanced efficiency of an ultra-violet water sterilization device is assured by disposing a diffuser plate constructed of vanes at one end of a sterilization device so that the liquid flows by the vanes, to become turbulent and is directed into a rotational, non channeled path through a sterilization flux such that the flow of incremental fluid through the device becomes essentially constant and predictable so that the exposure of incremental fluid to the sterilization flux can be controlled to ensure bacteria kill.

Abstract: A catalyst supporting structure comprising a plurality of catalytically active woven screens in a stacked relationship, the screens consisting essentially of a catalytically active alloy of iron, chromium, cobalt and aluminum.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing particulate impurities from a fluid stream flowing into a bed of discrete solid elements, such as a bed of catalyst particles. An improved basket design is provided which maximizes the use of the bed and the mesh area of the basket to remove the particulate impurities in such a manner that the cycle life of the bed of catalyst particles or the like is extended.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the recovery, reconstitution and recyclization of a gaseous mixture used as a sterilizing medium. A recycle line interconnects a gas condenser with a sterilization chamber to return a portion of the gases discharged from the chamber, thus avoiding excessive gas losses through venting and ensuring that the pressure in the chamber remains above a selectable predetermined minimum. This eliminates the need for a vacuum pump and obviates expansive explosion of sealed packages contained in the sterilization chamber. The system also uses a liquid ring compressor provided with a special liquid sealant comprising a polyhydric alcohol.

Abstract: A catalytic converter unit of the type used in internal combustion engine exhaust systems has a monolithic refractory catalyst element which is axially retained by means of flat spring pads, such as metal mesh layers or spring washers, and may include a thermal compensation means to help offset different rates of expansion.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating engine exhaust gases for the effective removal of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and/or the oxides of nitrogen from the exhaust system of mobile internal combustion engines. A readily accessible exhaust treating tube in the engine exhaust pipe system contains a removable and disposable open end cartridge which, in turn, contains a fibrous filter which is impregnated with a chemical solution for treating the exhaust gases passing therethrough. The disposable cartridge may be easily replaced at regular intervals by simply removing the spent cartridge and inserting a new one.

Abstract: In a hermetically sealed hood provided with recycle and recovery apparatus a labelled compound is obtained by adsorbing and releasing a gaseous radioisotope under vacuum in a reaction system incorporated with vials containing adsorbents thereby to bring said gas into contact with a compound to be labelled and to recover the gas remaining in the system by adsorbents or reacting agents, and removing a vial of products and a recovery vial of unreacted gases by sealing under vacuum. The gaseous radiosotope used in said preparation of the labelled compound is itemized (i.e. separated and collected) by applying the principle of adsorption and release and the removal by seal under vacuum mentioned above to capillary apparatus connected with said gas vial and a plurality of recovery vials.

Abstract: In a catalytic converter which has a housing, gas inlet and outlet nipples in the housing, a screen positioned in and held by said housing for supporting a loose catalyst material thereon and a free space provided in the housing above the loose catalyst material, there is provided a flow-directing device for guiding a stream, after its introduction into the housing through the gas inlet nipple, onto the loose catalyst uniformly and vertically from above.

Abstract: Thiophosphates of the formula ##EQU1## where X is O or S, R is a hydrocarbon or a substituted hydrocarbon group such as alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, etc., and R' is a 3-thione-propene-1 or a substituted 3-thione-propene-1 group; the preparation thereof by reacting a 1,2-dithiolium compound with a phosphite ester; the reversion to the original dithionium compound is effected by reacting the thiophosphate under acid conditions; and the uses of such thiophosphates as corrosion inhibitors in acid systems.

Abstract: A mounting support for a catalyst body which is adapted to be installed into an exhaust gas line of an internal combustion engine; the forces necessary for fixing the catalyst body which act in the longitudinal direction are thereby produced by walls of the mounting support which are located in front of and/or to the rear of the catalyst body, as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the mounting support, on that side on which the forces act laterally on the catalyst body; these walls support themselves at a distance from the catalyst body as measured in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine pass through a chamber which has a bed of abrasive particles in the bottom. These particles are carried across catalyst surfaces located above the bed when the exhaust gases are blown through the bed thereby reactivating the catalyzed surfaces during the operation of the engine. The abrasive particles drop back into the bed during use so that the operation is comparable to a fluidized bed. Clearance is provided between the surface of the bed of particles and the base of the catalyzed surfaces that permits a free access to the catalyzed surfaces by the particles and a return of the particles to the bed without interfering with the flow of the exhaust gases over the catalyzed surfaces.

Abstract: A method for the inhibition of metal scale formation in a hydrocarbon processing unit prior to catalyst loading and start-up comprising the steps: circulating a gas comprising a sulfiding component; heating the hydrocarbon conversion zone to at least hydrocarbon conversion temperature; and, collecting loosely bound metal scale until scale production abates. The recurring problem of catalyst bed inlet plugging is solved by removing indigenous metal scale, dust and debris and by passivating the virgin metallic surfaces before the initial start-up of a hydrocarbon processing unit.

Abstract: A method of cold sterilizing a perishable food product during shipment and storage. Liquid dimethyl dicarbonate is applied to the outer surface of the food product and the product is chilled to solidify the coating. The coating acts to protect the food product from microbiological contamination during shipment and storage and can be washed from the product prior to usage.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for controlling unburned emissions from automotive exhaust gases includes a reactor chamber having inlet and outlet openings for passage of the exhaust gases therethrough. Oxidizing catalyst devices are distributed along the reactor chamber between the inlet and outlet openings for contact by exhaust gases flowing therethrough. Secondary air feed means is provided for feeding secondary air into the reactor chamber at a plurality of spaced-apart locations between the inlet and outlet openings. The secondary air feed means includes a conduit extending in a tortuous path through the reactor chamber for pre-heating secondary air flowing through the conduit prior to discharge into the reactor chamber. The flow rate and distribution of secondary air are arranged to prevent overheating of the catalyst. Malfunction of the converter is detected by comparing temperatures in the last two stages or by sensing the absolute temperature of the last stage.

Abstract: A reaction chamber for combustion of the carbon monoxide content of flue gas, comprising a casing and a catalyst of austenite steel for ignition of the carbon monoxide content of the flue gas, wherein said catalyst of austenite steel is located in said casing downstream the mixing point of said flue gas with combustion air, so that a reliable catalytic ignition of the streaming flue gas is given without the use of any support fire and without any admixture of heating gases.