Abstract: A debris collection system for a floor cleaning machine includes a motorized cleaning head attached to a frame of the floor cleaning machine, a carriage attached to the frame, a debris tray, and a de-watering system. The debris tray is removably receivable within the carriage and is positioned to receive debris thrown from the motorized cleaning head. The de-watering system includes a liquid extracting component, a tray tubing section, a main tubing section, a waste recovery tank supported on the frame and a vacuum in vacuum communication with the main tubing section. The liquid extracting component is attached to the debris tray and is configured to extract liquid from within the debris tray. The tray tubing section has a first end that is coupled to the liquid extracting component and a second end that is mounted in fixed relation to the debris tray.

Abstract: The claimed invention provides an apparatus for use with a vacuum cleaner nozzle having an intake opening with a flow area that receives a flow of working air. The apparatus comprises a cleaning pad with a structure that permits the working air to pass through the pad. The cleaning pad is configured to be installed over the intake opening in a position extending across the flow area.

Abstract: A mop wringer includes a base and a plurality of sides which can define a channel having a uniform or substantially uniform cross-section along its longitudinal extent, and one or more openings in the base and/or sides by which fluid can drain from the wringer. One of the sides is a pivotable guide element which is pivotable relative to the other sides on axle elements which are spaced from and which are between in use uppermost and lowermost ends of the said pivotable guide element. The in use pivotable guide element provides a wider opening for insertion of a mophead into the channel, but does not pivot to squeeze the mophead.

Abstract: A vacuum system has a cabinet that can be mounted to a wall. The cabinet includes a hose storage compartment with a hose drive assembly for automatically extending and retracting a vacuum hose. A portable vacuum unit can be removably docked to the cabinet and connected to the vacuum hose so that waste can be picked up the vacuum hose when the portable vacuum unit is docked. When undocked, the portable vacuum unit can be used alone.

Abstract: The illustrated embodiment comprises a biosensor utilizing plant cells and nutrient media for maintaining the plant cells in a live condition. A light source having desired optical characteristics is directed onto the plant cells and light spectra transmitted from the cells is detected by a photodetector. A controller analyzes signals from the photodetector to detect a state change in the plant cells in response to exposure to an agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for composting organic material, in which method organic material is transported to a bioreactor (1) where it is mixed and where material for regulating the oxygen content and bacteria and/or enzymes for agitation of composting process are added to it, and where organic material may compost, after which the composted material is removed outside the bioreactor to be stabilized. The invention also relates to a device for composting organic material, which device includes a bioreactor (1) with at least one filling and emptying opening (12, 13, 17) in order to fill and empty the bioreactor, and a transporting device (2) mixing the material inside the bioreactor (1) in order to transport the organic material to be composted and a mix it inside the bioreactor.

Abstract: A configuration of mini-volume reaction receptacles (1, 16, 41) of which the receptacle housings (2, 17) each enclose an elongated chamber (3, 18, 42) of which the ends are connected to apertures (6, 7, 20, 22) formed in the receptacle housing. The receptacle housings have identical base surfaces and have a small height relative to the base surface, and are stacked on one another while their base surfaces are mutually aligned. At least one aperture of a receptacle housing communicates with at least one aperture of a vertically adjacent receptacle housing, as seen in the direction of stacking. The receptacles (1, 16, 41) are mechanically interlocked in a direction transverse to the direction of stacking and can be plugged one into another. Each receptacle housing defines at least one aperture (6, 7, 22) at its top side that is accessible to a pipette.

Abstract: A cell incubating apparatus and a method of culturing cells in vitro are disclosed, which relates to medical cell proliferation, pharmaceutical chemical screening and automatic cell analysis in tissue engineering technology. The apparatus establishes an imitating three-dimensional transportation microenvironment by assembling a top plate, a bottom plate and at least one culture plate apparatus for incubating cells. The apparatus is not only for incubating the tissue specific cells with biological function but also for lowering the cost of culturing cells for personal medical use.

Abstract: A self contained diagnostic test device is provided for use in the collection and detection of a biological specimen or the like. The device comprises a tubular swab and reagent dispensing cap component for receiving specimens. The reagent dispensing cap component includes barrel, reagent chamber, and results window subcomponents, and delivers one or more selected reagents to a specimen testing chamber for contacting the collected specimen, upon the rotation of the reagent chamber component.

Abstract: The present invention describes all apparatus for making a foliar spray from a liquid and a particulate matter. The apparatus consists of a non-porous liquid receptacle, a basket for holding the particulate matter, intake means for transporting air from a blower to a manifold means for aerating the liquid and the particulate matter, and a blower for supplying the air. The liquid receptacle is typically a substantially horizontal, rectangular tank having a flat bottom and the manifold means includes a selected number of diffuser arms, the number of diffuser arms selected to cover a substantial portion of the area of the bottom surface of the liquid receptacle and is selectively proportionate to the volume of the receptacle. The manifold means may be easily removed from the liquid receptacle by means of a quick-disconnect coupler for ease of cleaning the liquid receptacle once the foliar liquid is removed from the liquid receptacle via outlet means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the biocatalyst-mediated enantioselective conversion of enantiomeric mixtures of hydrophobic esters uing a biphasic solvent system. More particularly, the present invention relates to the enzyme-mediated enantioselective synthesis of anti-viral compounds, such as 2-hydroxymethyl-5-(5-flurocytosin-1-yl)-1,3-oxathiolane (FTC) and its analogues, in a non-homogenous reaction system.

Abstract: A lockable contact plate is disclosed wherein the lid and base of the dish are provided with at least two pairs of locking members, each comprising a radial sheath and a sheath-engaging tab.

Abstract: A sugar chain synthesizer comprising one or more reaction columns packed with immobilized glycosyltransferase and/or glycosidase; one or more separation means, arranged downstream from the reaction columns, for separating reaction products, unreaction products and byproducts contained in the solution eluted from the reaction columns; a first pump for feeding a primer of water soluble polymer and buffer solution to the reaction columns through a first selector valve; a second pump for feeding a buffer solution and sugar nucleotide solution to any one of the reaction columns through a second selector valve; one or more circulation flow paths connecting between a flow path downstream from the separation means and a flow path upstream from each of the reaction columns; and a third selector valve, arranged between the separation means and one or more circulation flow paths, for selective connection between the separation means and a desired circulation flow path.

Abstract: A self-contained biological indicator for evaluating the effectiveness of a sterilizer utilizing an anti-microbial gas or liquid fluid. The indicator is comprised of a tubular casing having open ends and defining an interior chamber. A source of viable microorganisms is disposed within the chamber. A frangible ampoule containing a culture medium capable of promoting growth of the microorganism and a detector means capable of reaction with the metabolites of the microorganism to produce a visual indication is disposed within the chamber. The ampule is operable by pressure applied to an external surface thereof to permit the microorganism and the medium to come into contact with each other. A cap assembly is mounted to each end of the tubular casing. Each cap assembly includes a telescoping element movable from a first position defining an opening communicating with the chamber and a second position crushing the ampoule and forming a gas/fluid impermeable seal around the chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides a cell/tissue culture apparatus for applying a physical stimulation necessary for the proliferation and growth of a cell or tissue to a material to be cultivated serving as a cell or tissue to be cultivated, thereby realizing the culture as desired and protecting the material to be cultivated from contamination of various bacteria and so forth.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for monitoring chemotaxis or chemoinvasion including a housing comprising: a support member and a top member, the top member mounted to the support member by being placed in substantially fluid-tight conformal contact with the support member. The support member and the top member are configured such that they together define a discrete chamber adapted to allow a monitoring of chemotaxis or chemoinvasion therein. The discrete chamber includes a first well region including at least one first well, the at least one first well configured to received a test agent therein; a second well region including at least one second well, the at least one second well configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein; and a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another. The second well region is preferably horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device.

Abstract: The invention comprises novel culture methods and devices in which biocatalysts are substantially immobilized contained, suspended and or incubated in a chamber. At least one injection element provides a fluid flow to a perimeter of the chamber and the fluid force of the fluids flowing into the chamber works with the centripetal force created by rotation of the device to suspend the cells within the chamber, promote cell growth and/or clean the fluid as it passes thru the suspended biocatalyst.

Abstract: A detecting chip (2) comprising a body (5) and a frame (4) both detachable from each other. A large number of projecting pin electrodes (10) are arranged in a matrix inside the body (5). Oligonucleotide consisting of different gene sequences is fixed to the pin electrode (10). A common electrode is so disposed in a recess (8) in a frame (4) as to be out of contact with the pin electrodes (10). A DNA sample is placed in the recess (8). By applying a voltage between the common electrode and the pin electrodes (10), a current is detected to detect a hybridized two-strand DNA, thus analyzing a gene DNA.

Abstract: A method and means for drawing air through material by natural draft wherein air is drawn into one end of a container having the material therein and is sucked from the other end thereof by a wind powered rotary turbine ventilator.

Abstract: The invention provides polyol (allyl carbonate) polymer solid supports. The supports can be modified for attachment of a chemical moiety or ligand. A solid support comprising one or more ligands immobilized to a polyol (allyl carbonate) polymer solid support. The solid support can be in the form of a bead, fiber, flat surface, microfluidic device, molded device, machined device, container, multi-well container such as a multi-well plate, and mass spectrometry sample holder. The solid supports can be used for a variety of applications, including chemical storage, chemical synthesis, combinatorial library synthesis, analytical devices, diagnostic devices, and tissue culture applications. The invention also provides methods of using the polyol (allyl carbonate) polymer solid supports.