Abstract: A sterilization method and apparatus wherein microorganisms are exposed to ultraviolet light characterized by providing and operating a mercury/gallium metal halide ultraviolet light source in a manner exposing the microorganisms to ultraviolet light and a gaseous titanium dioxide emitted from the source for an exposure time in the range from about 0.3 seconds to about 60 seconds and at an exposure distance in the range from about 0.25 inch to about 4.0 inches, the ultraviolet light being emitted through a wavelength range from about 175 nanometers to about 450 nanometers with the relative energy being in the range from equal to or greater than 1.3 to equal to or less than 250 microwatts/sq.cm./nanometer at one meter.

Abstract: Equipment, in particular pressure gelling equipment, is provided to fill one or more casting molds with castable, liquid materials of which the components are fed by pumps through closable conduits to at least one plunger-cylinder system from where the components are moved to a mixing chamber and from there to the particular casting mold. In order to process especially abrasive casting materials of high viscosity and short pot life, the invention provides that at least one plunger-cylinder system be operated at a pressure substantially higher than are the pumps and that the mixing-chamber volume be comparatively slight.

Abstract: A process is provided for the sterilization of the surface of a packaging material, e.g. a plastic coated board, by contacting such material with a hydrogen peroxide solution, wherein the hydrogen peroxide solution is modified by the addition thereto of a penetration-reducing amount of a penetration-reducing salt. The salt referred to is preferably an alkali metal salt, for instance, a sulphate or halogenide, such as sodium sulphate or sodium chloride. A composition is provided that is useful for carrying the sterilization process into effect, wherein a hydrogen peroxide solution is modified by the addition of a penetration-reducing amount of a penetration-reducing salt.

Abstract: An ionizing type air cleaner having ionizing needle(s) and a collector element. The collector element is made of either many conducting elements with isolating resistors or a single high resistivity element in order to prevent electric shock when touched.

Abstract: A variable form spray system includes a robot manipulator, a masking tool assembly integrated with the manipulator, sealer supply hardware which supplies spray material to the manipulator and sealer recovery hardware which recovers material sprayed and skived by the masking tool assembly. Spray pattern form is controlled by collecting overspray using adjustable skive manifolds of the assembly on each side of the spray pattern which function to vacuum off the edges of the airless spray pattern. The positions of the skive manifolds are programmable.

Abstract: System employing a sterile medical solution containing glucose or glucose polymers, for example nutritional solutions or solutions for peritoneal dialysis, whereby the majority of the solution is packed in a first package, while the glucose or the glucose polymers are separately packed in a second package, whereafter the two packages are heat sterilized. The content of the glucose or glucose polymers in the second package is maintained above 10% by weight, preferably above 20% by weight and most preferably in the order of 40% by weight in order to reduce or totally eliminate the breakdown of glucose. The medical solution after sterilization, mixing and diluting to 1.5% glucose content has an absorbency caused by breakdown products from glucose at 228 nm less than 0.35 and preferably in the order of 0.20 or lower. The medical solution is also defined in that after sterilization, mixing and dilution to 1.

Abstract: A system for treating a flue gas includes a first condensing heat exchanger located in the housing for removing heat from flue gas as the flue gas is downwardly passed therethrough. A first collection tank is located in the housing below the first heat exchanger for collecting liquid and particulate. A second heat exchanger is located in the housing for condensibly removing pollutants from the flue gas as the flue gas is upwardly passed through the second heat exchanger. A second collection tank is located in the housing below the second heat exchanger for collecting liquid and particulate.

Abstract: In an improved process for recovering ethylene oxide from an aqueous ethylene oxide solution further containing formaldehyde is provided wherein the impure aqueous ethylene oxide solution is introduced into a distillation zone as a feed stream and undergoes distillation therein to form an ethylene oxide product sidestream and an aqueous bottoms product, water is added to the distillation zone to absorb formaldehyde vapor into a liquid phase and combines with the formaldehyde vapor to form an apparent azeotrope, and removing the apparent azeotrope from the column, the improvement is that all or part of the water is a recycled aqueous stream originating from the aqueous bottoms product and introduced to the distillation zone above the feed stream.

Abstract: An anoxic treatment process which eliminates organisms such as insects, fungi and/or microbes from fine art objects such as paintings includes filling an enclosure placed around the object, flushing the enclosure of oxygen by applying an inert gas such as argon, and/or helium separately or in combination, and maintaining selected conditions of pressure, temperature, humidity and ph (acidity) for a selected period of time, typically on the order of several weeks. In one practice of the invention, infrared spectra are monitored to determine when all live organisms have been eliminated from the object, by measuring respiratory by-products from the organisms to determine when all have been eliminated. The by-product measurement system may utilize a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy system (FTIR) to monitor carbon dioxide and/or methane.

Abstract: About 1/2 cc of a sterile composition (5) dropped into the rotor drive air feed line (11) of a dental handpiece (10) while holding the handpiece upside down protects and lubricates the handpiece bearings and turbine during the subsequent auto-clave sterilization process. An additional dosage inserted into the bur hole after the auto-clave process further lubricates the handpiece and inhibits rust from forming on the handpiece bearings and turbine during use. The pre-sterilization dosage and post-sterilization dosage of measured amounts may be separately packaged in disposable capsules (20, 30). The composition (5) is made by heat mixing until sterile about 10% by volume of a sterile solution of Power-Up.TM. NNL-690, which is a liquid hydrocarbon boundary lubricant; and corrosion inhibitor, with 90% by volume of pharmaceutical grade mineral oil.

Abstract: Medical instruments, including stainless steel, plastic tubing, and the like, are sterilized in a portable apparatus that provides a low volume, high pressure flow of continuously circulating water containing about 2 to 6 ppm of ozone. The portable apparatus includes a housing having an open chamber for containing medical instruments. Within the housing are a high voltage transformer, an ozone generator, and a high pressure, low volume pump for circulating ozonated water. A lid for the chamber is provided with carbon substantially to preclude ozone from escaping from the chamber into the atmosphere outside the housing. The lid includes a safety switch so that the apparatus will not operate unless the lid is in place.

Abstract: Methyl iodide is employed as a soil fumigant for the effective control of plant pathogens, nematodes, bacteria and weeds. Methyl iodide is employed in substantially the same manner as is customary for use of methyl bromide, and is at least as effective as methyl bromide when used in comparable amounts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting biological activities in a large number of blood culture vials. The vials are placed in discrete disc-like segments and rotated about an axis of a drum. In one preferred embodiment, agitation results from placing the axis of rotation perpendicular to the force of gravity. The present invention allows for individual vial identification, and for the application of more than one non-invasive microorganism detection method including fluorescence and scattered photon migration. Only a single detection station for each method is required for each segment and a plurality of stations may share common components, reducing cost while increasing accuracy. The vials may be inserted into a segment using a quick disconnect method and a keying method is disclosed to guarantee the correct orientation of a vial once it is inserted.

Abstract: A method of sterilising objects including the operations of activating a gaseous medium, ensuring that the activated medium is substantially free of charged species and exposing the object to be sterilised to the activated gaseous medium for a period sufficient to ensure that the object is sterilised.

Abstract: Apparatus for sterilizing a transfer conduit having(a) a source of steam connected to the transfer conduit,(b) a condensate conduit for draining steam condensate from the transfer conduit,(c) a valve in the condensate conduit having a valve body with an upstream portion and a downstream portion, the portions are separated by a rapidly opening flow control means, such as a diaphragm,(d) a temperature sensor in the upstream portion of the valve body, and(e) a temperature controller connected to the temperature sensor adapted to read the temperature in the upstream portion of the valve body and to open the valve when the temperature drops below a fixed set point and to close the valve when the temperature is above the fixed set point.A steam condensate drain control system and a steam condensate valve are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A two-stage downflow flue gas treatment condensing heat exchanger system allows for flue gas to be passed into a two-stage housing at an upper end of the housing. The flue gas is channeled through a first stage of the housing having a first condensing heat exchanger which cools the flue gas. The flue gas is then channeled through a second stage having a second condensing heat exchanger which is located directly beneath the first stage and the first condensing heat exchanger for further cooling the flue gas. The flue gas travels in a downward direction only through the housing and exits the housing at the lower end of the housing beneath the second stage. A collection tank is located beneath the second stage of the housing for collecting liquids, condensate, particulate and reaction product.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing hollow bodies by blow molding thermoplastic preforms includes at least one preform heating apparatus and an assembly of molding stations fixedly arranged in an arc of a circle. The molding stations each further include a finished product ejector. A rotary transfer device is provided between the heating apparatus and the molding stations to transfer the heated preforms. The transfer device preferably has the shape of a wheel coaxial with an arc of a circle on which the molding stations are arranged. The wheel includes a carrier distributed uniformly along a circle to take heated preforms and deposit them into receptors on the molding stations.

Abstract: A sterilization method is provided which includes the steps of measuring the pressure within a sterilization chamber injecting a sterilant vapor into a flow of carrier gas, introducing the sterilant vapor and carrier gas into and through a sterilization chamber, and adjusting the rate of sterilant vapor injection to reach a pre-determined percentage of saturation limit for the sterilant vapor in the chamber, immediately following the introduction of sterilant vapor and carrier gas into the chamber, in response to the measured pressure. The predetermined saturation limit is selected to optimize the rate of sterilization, while avoiding substantial condensation of the sterilant.

Abstract: Unused methyl bromide from a fumigation cycle is captured by adsorption on a molecular sieve and recycled for reuse or recovery by desorption with hot gas without the need to purge the fumigation chamber with outside air. The loss of methyl bromide to the atmosphere is minimal.

Abstract: The present invention covers a method for disinfecting a contact lens including contacting the lens with an isotonic aqueous solution comprising 0.6 to 2 weight percent tromethamine (preferably 0.8 to 1.5 percent) for a time sufficient to disinfect the lens. Other aspects include adding to the solution from 0.01 to 1 weight percent chelating agent (preferably disodium EDTA) and/or additional microbicide.