Abstract: A body waste fluids collecting container is used in the disposal of waste fluids drained from a body cavity of a patient. The collecting container has inlet and outlet ports, a collecting compartment for collecting body waste fluids drained from a patient, and a retaining compartment located within the collecting container. A composition for treating body waste fluids is located within the retaining compartment. At least one wall is located on the retaining compartment. The wall separates the composition from the collecting compartment. An actuator opens the wall and permits release of the composition from the retaining compartment upon actuation. A composition consists of a disinfectant, a xerogel, or combination thereof. A waste treatment material dispensing device is also used with a closed waste fluid disposal vessel. The device contains waste treatment material and a container defining a storage volume for holding the waste treatment material.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for making powder from a metallic melt by atomizing the melt to form droplets and reacting the droplets downstream of the atomizing location with a reactive gas. The droplets are reacted with the gas at a temperature where a solidified exterior surface is formed thereon and where a protective refractory barrier layer (reaction layer) is formed whose penetration into the droplets is limited by the presence of the solidified surface so as to avoid selective reduction of key reactive alloyants needed to achieve desired powder end use properties. The barrier layer protects the reactive powder particles from environmental constituents such as air and water in the liquid or vapor form during subsequent fabrication of the powder to end-use shapes and during use in the intended service environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the continuous manufacture of slabstock polyurethane foam including a conveyor means (1), a mixing head (51) and means (6) for discharging the reaction mixture from the mixing head (51) onto the conveyor means (1). The device further includes a start board (7), a stop board, means for moving the start board (7) along the conveyor means at the beginning of a production run in such a manner that it obstructs the moving reaction mixture to thereby increase the height of the first portion of the produced foam, and means for moving the stop board at the end of a production run in such a manner that it pushes the foaming reaction mixture ahead to thereby increase the height of the end portion. In this way, no operator has to enter the foaming machine and the start and end profiles of the foam blocks are optimised.

Abstract: A process and a device for the automated ejection of screws from screw extruders, in particular, screw extruders for the production of dough and pasta products are described. The screw is ejected from the screw extruder in one stroke by hydraulic operation so as to provide good sliding capability.

Abstract: A method and system of treating medical waste product materials that are contaminated with blood, urine and/or other bodily fluids is disclosed. Disinfecting and sterilizing such materials is accomplished through use of heat to deactivate catalase contained in the medical waste. The waste is then contacted with hydrogen peroxide to sterilize the waste.

Abstract: Direct fluorination of organics such as 1,8-dichlorooctane in tubular reactor. Inert liquid containing organic feed is circulated through tubular reactor with fluorine gas for a time and at a temperature sufficient to yield fluorinated organic. Preferably, liquid and gas phases are separated from reactor product stream containing inert liquid, fluorinated organic, and any unreacted organic is recycled to turbulent mixing zone upstream of reactor in which fresh organic feed is added; and fluorine is added to recycle stream at end of mixing zone. Flow in tubular reactor is turbulent. Rate of organic feed and fluorine addition to process are independent of each other. Among process advantages are: Freon solvents not required; good control of reaction exotherm; and HF scavengers not required. Process useful for partial or complete fluorination.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to .alpha.-amylase, and, in particular to .alpha.-amylase from a hyperthermophilic archaebacterium, wherein said .alpha.-amylase is in pure form. The invention also relates to a method of purifying a hyperthermophilic .alpha.-amylase.

Abstract: The use of certain amidoamines to disinfect contact lenses and preserve ophthalmic compositions is described, Ophthalmic compositions containing these compounds as disinfecting agents or preservatives are also described, The amidoamines utilized in the present invention have potent antibacterial and antifungal activity, and are chemically compatible with inorganic ions and other materials utilized in ophthalmic compositions.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to recondition cardboard or similar tubes with deformed parts, notably at the ends, whilst avoiding the usual milling techniques and without removing any material. The deformed parts of each tube (1) are recalibrated to their initial thickness by being rolled between pairs of rollers (15, 20), of which at least one is driven in rotation. The tube (1) is then supported only by the rollers. Each internal roller (20) can be mounted on a movable support (18) which brings it into its working position in the tube. Application for the reconditioning of tubes serving as supports for textile yarn reels.

Abstract: Methods of assessing the destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) of a thermal combustion device having a gaseous effluent according to the formulaDRE=100.times.(W.sub.in -W.sub.out)/W.sub.inwhere:W.sub.in =mass feed rate of an organic compound into the device, andW.sub.out =the mass emission rate of the organic compound in the gaseous effluent. An apparatus for determining the destruction and removal efficiency of a thermal combustion device is also described. The methods and apparatus are capable of assessing the DRE in real time and are particularly useful in thermal combustion devices regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that combust or burn hazardous materials containing organics.

Abstract: A sterilant for rendering non-infectious shredded medical waste operates by alkaline oxidation to break down the pathogens in the medical waste during shredding, rendering the shredded waste product sterile, granular and substantially dry. The sterilant includes an alkaline oxide, such as calcium oxide, and a buffer, such as calcium carbonate including drying agents in the buffer. The sterilant creates a highly alkaline environment, at ambient temperatures, killing all or substantially all pathogens. The effectiveness of the sterilant is not dependent on temperature.

Abstract: The structure of an alignment apparatus is as follows: The illuminating areas of the two laser beams for the use of alignment, which are irradiated onto a diffraction grating on a substrate and a diffraction grating mark on a fiducial member, are relatively driven by a field diaphragm and a diaphragm member. A photoelectric detector receives the interference light generated from a first portion in the area on the above-mentioned diffraction mark where the two laser beams intersect following the above-mentioned relative driving, and receives the interference light generated from a second portion in the aforesaid area. A main control system calculates the intersecting angles or rotational error of the two laser beams on the basis of the phase difference of the detection signals from the aforesaid photoelectric detector. The intersecting angles or rotational error is corrected by allowing the parallel flat glasses, which are arranged on the light path, to be slanted.

Abstract: Apparatus for preserving porous structures, including masonry structures with embedded structural steel or reinforcing steel elements, applies a liquid preservative material to an exposed surface of the structure using the force of a compressed air blast at high velocity to meet, atomize, and inject the liquid preservative deeply into the porous structure. Separate manifolds each having multiple spaced nozzles are provided for the liquid preservative and for the air blasts, both manifolds being covered by a shroud. The manifolds and their nozzles are positioned and arranged so that, as the liquid is deposited on the surface of the structure, the high-velocity blast of air, arriving at the same area at the same time, atomizes, injects and forces the liquid into the interior of the structure, so as to coat the intersticies of the inner porous structure, including any reinforcing steel therein, the high-velocity air blast acting as a fluid hammer.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens disinfection apparatus, including a container and a mating cap, she apparatus having an improved seal and vent means for venting gas generated within the apparatus. The vent means is an integral part of the disinfection apparatus which allows venting of gas when internal pressure increases, while maintaining a seal which is substantially gas and liquid-impermeable at other times. The seal is defined by the interference mating of a flexible periphery on a container with a rigid mating rim on a cap. The apparatus is particularly useful in the disinfection of contact lenses with hydrogen peroxide in which the excess peroxide is decomposed into water and oxygen.

Abstract: An improved hopper structure is described for sheeting heads which use rollers to process dough into thin sheets. Inserts which are attached to the hopper endwalls are equipped with a tongue-in-groove structure to prevent dough from escaping. The edges of the hopper inserts are contoured to mate with the roller surfaces and bear a tongue seated in a circumferential groove in the roller. This arrangement ensures that the hopper endwall does not change position and does not deform.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a washing water supply tank for supplying washing water to an endoscope placed on a washing and sterilizing bath and a sensor for determining whether or not the water supply tank needs washing or sterilizing. Further, in addition, the water supply tank is also washed and sterilized. A lamp and buzzer inform the user of a result of whether or not the water supply system needs washing and sterilizing.

Abstract: An apparatus for dissolving an adjusting agent of a dialytic solution according to the invention includes a vessel containing sealingly a constant quantity of a powdery or granular solid adjusting agent of a dialytic solution, a feeding means for supplying a fluid for dissolving the adjusting agent in said vessel, and a dissolving tank for mixing and dissolving the adjusting agent with the fluid and for storing the mixed solution.

Abstract: A modular form assembly for a concrete structure includes vertical channel pieces coupled detachably side by side to one another, and horizontal reinforcement units interconnected detachably. Each channel piece includes two opposing vertical walls, and an intermediate vertical wall interconnecting the vertical walls and serving as a form wall. Each vertical wall is attached detachably to the adjacent vertical wall to arrange the form walls in a common vertical plane. The reinforcement units are attached detachably to the vertical walls opposite to the form walls so as to keep the form walls in the common vertical plane. Each reinforcement unit includes a horizontal plate, first flanges extending vertically from two opposing sides of the horizontal plate, and second flanges extending vertically from two other opposing sides of the horizontal plate. Each second flange abuts against and is connected detachably to the adjacent second flange.

Abstract: A body waste fluids collecting container is used in the disposal of waste fluids drained from a body cavity of a patient. The collecting container has inlet and outlet ports, a collecting compartment for collecting body waste fluids drained from a patient, and a retaining compartment located within the collecting container. A composition for treating body waste fluids is located within the retaining compartment. At least one wall is located on the retaining compartment. The wall separates the composition from the collecting compartment. An actuator opens the wall and permits release of the composition from the retaining compartment upon actuation. A composition consists of a disinfectant, a xerogel, or combination thereof.A waste treatment material dispensing device is also used with a closed waste fluid disposal vessel. The device contains waste treatment material and a container defining a storage volume for holding the waste treatment material.

Abstract: A modular sterilization tray system for medical instruments comprises a rigid, substantially rectangular case having a pair of opposite side walls, a pair of opposite end walls and a bottom wall. A plurality of vertical columns of vertically spaced apart uniform size holes are formed in the case side walls and end walls. Also, one or more substantially rectilinear instrument trays are provided for placement in the case, the length and width dimensions of each of the trays being directly related to the spacing of the columns of holes in the case side and end walls such that one or more trays may be positioned within the case so as to be bracketed by selected columns of holes. The system also includes fixtures for positioning in selected holes of the bracketing columns of holes for fixing the position of one or more trays at a selected elevation in the case and fixation brackets for variously shaped instruments placed in the trays.