Abstract: A hand-held vacuum cleaner comprising a dust case having an upward opening and an air-permeable filter wall formed as at least a portion of its structural wall, the dust case being removably fitted in a dust collecting recess formed in the main body of the cleaner, a partitioning member having a suction opening and removably fitted over the opening of the dust case to cover the opening, and a closure pivoted to the cleaner main body and openably closing the opening of the recess except the suction opening of the partitioning member. A paper filter can be held between the dust case and the partitioning member.

Abstract: A squeegee is disclosed having a housing which is capable of being unfolded for use. The housing, which may, preferably, be made of any durable material is preferably rectangular in shape with a top surface and a bottom surface. Each surface preferably has a planar shape. If rectangularly-shaped, the housing is to have a plurality of side panels, three of which are affixed to the bottom surface. The fourth side panel is flexibly connected to both the bottom surface and the top surface, preferably by two hingeable connections. When in the closed, or folded position, the top surface is to rest on the plurality of panels, parallel to the bottom surface. A sponge is, preferably, removably affixed to the inner side of the top surface; a wiper blade is, preferably, removably affixed to the inner side of the flexibly connected panel. When the squeegee is unfolded, the sponge and the wiper blade may be used to clean a surface, such as an automobile windshield.

Abstract: Screws are delivered into the entrance end of a rotating horizontal drum and are advanced axially through the drum by an annular helical conveyor flight extending around and along the inner wall of the drum. During the advance, the screws are sprayed with a hot cleaning solution to remove oil from the screws, the screws being dried by heating coils prior to being discharged from the drum. A shield at the entrance end of the drum prevents screws from becoming trapped between the end of the drum and the initial turn of the conveyor flight as the screws are delivered into the drum. The cleaning solution sprayed into the drum is returned to a reservoir where oil is seperated from the solution by means of a rotating disc which attracts and picks up the oil and by means of squeegee blades which scrape oil from opposite sides of the disc for discharge to a drain.

Abstract: In the preparation of concentrated fibrinogen extracted from the blood for making fibrin glue for use, e.g., as tissue adhesive or intra-arterial embolizing agent, the blood and subsequently obtained plasma are separated by centrifuging. In order to efficiently and rapidly prepare a small quantity of fibrinogen from a patient's own blood to be administered to the same patient during imminent surgery, an arrangement is disclosed wherein the blood or plasma to be centrifuged is transferred to a flat bag or packet which is then fitted into an insert fixture assembly which reliably secures the packet in the centrifuge cup in a suitable orientation.

Abstract: A mixing device and method wherein liquids are rotatingly mixed in a disposable plastic bag mounted in and outer receptacle. The bag is provided with extending portions which overlap the open top of the outer receptacle. The interior sidewalls of the outer receptacle are inwardly sloping defining a truncated conical interior. When the bag is filled with liquid to be mixed the bag conforms to the sidewalls and does not twist around a rotating mixing element disposed through the open tops of the bag and outer receptable for mixing the contents of the bag. The mixing element is centered in the bag by a cap-like cylindrical structure that engages the top of the outer receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for washing, sanitizing and drying stacks of flats used for carrying various items, particularly eggs. The apparatus includes a dual station defining dual processing chambers. Since the flats are washed while in stacks, the capacity for this apparatus and method is quite high. Also one or several stacks of flats is constantly being processed within one of the two processing chambers while the other processing chamber is being set up for the next step. A stack of flats is initially placed within the first processing chamber and is then flooded with cleaning solution. The stack of flats is rotationally moved for cleaning. During this washing operation another stack of dirty flats is placed within the second processing station. When the washing within the first processing station is completed, the cleaning solution therein is pumped into the second processing station.

Abstract: A method of cleaning red blood cells which have been separated from undesirable components of blood in a centrifugal separating chamber includes the steps of pulsating a washing solution through the red blood cells in an alternating high flow rate/low flow rate sequence so as to alternately agitate the red cells for optimal cleaning and stabilize the red cells to prevent a flushing of the cells from the separation chamber.