Abstract: An improved oxygen generator (20) includes an air compressor (21) having a pressure port (22) and a suction port (23) and being selectively operable to produce a flow of air from the suction port to the pressure port; a molecular sieve (30) having an inlet communicating with the compressor and having an outlet, the sieve being adapted to adsorb nitrogen from a flow of gas passing therethrough; a storage tank (33) communicating with the sieve outlet and adapted to store oxygen-rich gas passing through the sieve; and a control valve (24) operatively arranged between the compressor and the sieve and being selectively movable between a first position in which air flows from the compressor suction port through the sieve to the storage tank and a second position in which oxygen-rich gas flows from the storage tank through the sieve and control valve to desorb nitrogen in the sieve.

Abstract: A system to deliver gas/vapor from solid materials. Specifically, the delivery system for the use of gas or vapor released from a solid material, such as a non-aqueous/solid hydrogen peroxide complex. The system is comprised of a delivery system that is configured to receive a plurality of disks containing the solid material and provide these disks into an injector. The injector heats the disks to produce a gas or vapor that is then provided into a chamber. The sterilization process can be done by gas or vapor alone, or in combination with plasma or ultra violet radiation. In particular, a control system automatically induces the delivery system to provide the injector with a disk and then remove the disk once the injection sequence is complete.

Abstract: An air purification system comprises a housing, a generally S-shaped duct mounted within the housing, at least one blower mounted within the housing for circulating air through the system, and purification structure for removing contaminants from the air. The system preferably comprises two blowers, a master control switch for activating one of the blowers to circulate air through the filter, and a secondary control switch for activating the other blower and the UVC source to initiate a UVC purification process to further purify the filtered air.

Abstract: A garbage disposing device of an energy-saving type comprises a housing having an air intake port and an air discharge port, and a vessel mounted within the housing to store therein food wastes. The vessel has an air inlet and an air outlet. An intake passage is formed in the housing to extend from the intake port to the air inlet for introducing a fresh air into the vessel. An exhaust passage is formed within the housing to extend from the air outlet to the discharge port for discharging therethrough an air containing unpleasant odor resulting from a decomposition of the food wastes. A deodorizer unit comprises a catalyst for decomposing the unpleasant odor in the air, a heater for activating the catalyst, and a case for incorporating therein the catalyst and the heater.

Abstract: Blood heat exchanger apparatus with improved heat exchanged capability and improved bonding of micro-conduit heat exchange fibers. The micro-conduit comprises a plurality of elongated fibers, which may be made of a hydrophobic material such as polypropylene or polyethylene. The micro-conduit fibers may be provided as a heat exchanger micro-conduit wrapping material, wherein the micro-conduit fibers are attached to a thin flexible interconnect, such as woven netting, to maintain the fibers at predetermined and substantially parallel alignment with each other. The wrapping material is wrapped about an elongated spindle to provide a generally cylindrical heat exchange core. A shell is placed around the core to contain the heat transfer fluid which passes around the exterior of the fibers. Opposing first and second seals are created by applying potting compound between fibers proximate the spindle's first and second ends respectively.

Abstract: In a toothbrush cleaning station, the bristles of a toothbrush are brought into contact with a disinfectant. The toothbrush cleaning station has a spraying device for the disinfectant to be sprayed on the bristles and a support for the bristles of the toothbrush in the disinfectant spraying area. A holder holds the toothbrush and at the same time forms a holder for the can-shaped spraying device. The holder for the spraying device retains it in a position in which the bristles of the toothbrush remain in the disinfectant spraying area.

Abstract: An appliance which is entirely, or includes components, formed of a thermoplastics material, e.g., conventional nylon-bristle toothbrushes, may be sterilized by first bringing water contained in a reservoir of an uncovered sterilization tray to, or near, its boiling point by initial exposure to microwave energy. Thereafter, the appliance is placed in the sterilization tray in proximity to the microwave-preheated water. The sterilization tray may then be covered and subjected to an additional (shorter) cycle of microwave energy. During this subsequent microwave cycle, the water in the reservoir boils so that steam fills the covered container and is pressurized to less then about 10 psig (e.g., due to the fluid-tight seal formed by the container's cover). The steam and the microwave energy are sufficient to sterilize the toothbrush bristles.

Abstract: In a lid support arrangement for a double lid lock for closing the openings of two containments disposed adjacent one another for transferring noxious materials between the containments, a cover lid for sealing the opening between the containments is supported by a pivot arm structure which is pivotally supported at one end and extends over the cover lid and the cover lid is attached to the pivot arm structure by a pivot joint having an axis extending parallel to the pivot axis of the pivot arm structure.

Abstract: A system to deliver gas/vapor from solid materials. Specifically, the delivery system for the use of gas or vapor released from a solid material, such as a non-aqueous/solid hydrogen peroxide complex. The system is comprised of a delivery system that is configured to receive a plurality of disks containing the solid material and provide these disks into an injector. The injector heats the disks to produce a gas or vapor that is then provided into a chamber. The sterilization process can be done by gas or vapor alone, or in combination with plasma or ultra violet radiation. In particular, a control system automatically induces the delivery system to provide the injector with a disk and then remove the disk once the injecfion sequence is complete.

Abstract: A system to deliver gas/vapor from solid materials. Specifically, the delivery system for the use of gas or vapor released from a solid material, such as a non-aqueous/solid hydrogen peroxide complex. The system is comprised of a delivery system that is configured to receive a plurality of disks containing the solid material and provide these disks into an injector. The injector heats the disks to produce a gas or vapor that is then provided into a chamber. The sterilization process can be done by gas or vapor alone, or in combination with plasma or ultra violet radiation. In particular, a control system automatically induces the delivery system to provide the injector with a disk and then remove the disk once the injection sequence is complete.

Abstract: An improved cleaning and sterilizing apparatus adapted for cleaning and sterilizing medical instruments in which a wash cycle and rinse cycle are repeated if proper cleaning of the instrument has not been obtained. Using a turbidity monitor or comparable instrument, an indicia representative of the particles in the rinse water is obtained. If the indicia does not meet some pre-defined standard, such as those set by the Food and Drug Administration, then the wash/rinse cycles are repeated. This is done either until the standards are met or for a certain number of times. If the standards are met, then the medical instrument is sterilized for later use. In the preferred embodiment, proper sterilization is monitored by the turbidity monitor.

Abstract: A system to deliver gas/vapor from solid materials. Specifically, the delivery system for the use of gas or vapor released from a solid material, such as a non-aqueous/solid hydrogen peroxide complex. The system is comprised of a delivery system that is configured to receive a plurality of disks containing the solid material and provide these disks into an injector. The injector heats the disks to produce a gas or vapor that is then provided into a chamber. The sterilization process can be done by gas or vapor alone, or in combination with plasma or ultra violet radiation. In particular, a control system automatically induces the delivery system to provide the injector with a disk and then remove the disk once the injection sequence is complete.

Abstract: The present invention features a portable waste disposal unit designed to receive expanded polystyrene or similar polymeric waste. Waste is loaded into a waste reception chamber via a loading door. Once the loading door is closed and locked, a mechanical ram forces the waste charge downward into a removable tank containing a layer of a solvent such as perchloroethylene and an upper layer of water. The waste is dissolved in the solvent and stored until the tank is either removed or drained and the contents shipped to an appropriate waste recovery facility. The small size of the portable waste disposal unit makes it ideal for location near the source of the waste to be recycled. Significant compacting of wastes such as expanded polystyrene may be realized by dissolving the waste in a solvent such as perchloroethylene. In addition, the first step of a recycling process is effectively accomplished within the inventive unit.

Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus having a gas distribution plate containing a plurality of tuyeres, which tuyeres provide a uniform gas flow from the gas chamber of the apparatus to the reactor chamber of the apparatus and prevents particulate matter of the fluidized bed from backsifting from the fluid bed chamber through the gas distribution plate to the gas chamber. The tuyeres are secured in openings in the gas distribution plate and comprise a porous plate and preferably a perforated plate superposed within a flanged two-component structure which two components are screwed together or otherwise secured together to form the tuyere.

Abstract: There is provided a burette apparatus having a delivery tube connecting a fluid bag to a burette assembly, via a fluid entry spigot formed in an end cap assembly of the burette assembly, the end cap assembly having a bypass spigot connected to the delivery tube and usually closed by clip, to allow an override for adding liquid to the burette. The end cap assembly closes the upper end of the transparent, cylindrical burette body, into which extends a stainless steel tube extension of the fluid entry spigot, the lower end of the burette body being closed by a lower closure assembly having a check valve and a drip chamber. An outlet tube passes from the drip chamber to the patient via regulating clamp. A float assembly is located in the burette body including an extension rod provided with a resilient cup adapted to engage the open end of the stainless steel tube extension.

Abstract: A method for delivering liquids is disclosed wherein a quantity of the liquid is provided within a cell within a cassette. The cassette is received within a sleeve having an open end. A flap at the open end of the sleeve extends inwardly through the open end between the sleeve and cassette to abut a lip on the cassette and hold the cassette therein. Impingement of the flap pushes the flap away from the lip to allow the cassette to move out of the sleeve. A label mounted within the sleeve rotates between a viewable position where it is visible through a window in the sleeve and a retracted position away from the window. Extraction and reinsertion of the cassette into the sleeve moves the label from the viewable to the non-viewable position.

Abstract: A method for processing water-bound wastes and for adjusting quantities and for combining ingredients to achieve a desired mechanical property of the mixture. The process includes the establishment of at least one input parameter for the ingredients. The ingredients include heated granular solids and contaminated water-bound wastes. The mixing process causes the water-bound waste to be heated to a temperature which assures neutralization or purification of any waste borne contamination and which simultaneously cools the granular solid. The method includes testing the mixture for satisfaction of at least one of the established mixture physical property limits and, if necessary, adjusting at least one input parameter to achieve the desired physical property value.

Abstract: A toothbrush sterilizing container for holding and sterilizing the bristles and handle of a toothbrush includes a storage canister for receiving and holding the bristles of a toothbrush immersed in a sterilizing solution while the toothbrush handle extends through the open top end of the canister. A reservoir of sterilizing solution supplies fresh solution to the canister and a spout allows used solution to be drained from the canister. A lid has a slot for receiving the toothbrush handle and a supply of disinfectant in the lid maintains the handle in a sterile environment.

Abstract: A fluid diluter has a hydrodynamic focusing device with a circular mixing chamber opening into a receiving chamber via a sensing aperture. Diluent is supplied from a source and mixed with a sample of blood, for example, and the sensing aperture counts the presence of particles such as hemoglobin in the sample using the impedance method. The receiving chamber is subsequently emptied and the cycle repeated. In one embodiment, through-flow is achieved via a pair of pumps having different pumping capacities, connected together with a common actuator rod between the two pistons. In a second embodiment, four pumps are employed, three of which are ganged together. The system is substantially less bulky than known diluters yet permits accurate attainment of high dilution ratios. Particles may be analyzed in the aperture one at a time without coincidence. Altering relative capacities of the pumps permits adjustment of the dilution ratio.

Abstract: A sterilization tray is constructed primarily of a single stamped metal part which forms the bottom wall and at least two opposite side walls of the tray. The side walls of the tray are joined by end closures which form the end walls of the tray. In one tray embodiment, the end closures are plastic end walls which are hooked to the ends of the side walls. In a second embodiment, the end closures are formed by a bottom wall extension of the metal part which are folded up to form the tray end walls and plastic corner pieces which are hooked to the adjacent ends of the side and end walls. The tray is highly thermally conductive yet relatively inexpensive to make in quantity.