Abstract: A vaporizer (48) vaporizes a liquid solution of hydrogen peroxide or other strong oxidants to form a sterilant vapor which is entrained in a flow of sterile air. The sterilant vapor is conveyed to a manifold (12), (36), (40). A plurality of tubes or conduits (14) convey the sterilant vapor from the manifold into a interstitial space (18) between an inner, IV bag (24) and an outer overwrap (22). A vacuum pump (58) draws a negative pressure within an enclosure (42) to draw the sterilant vapor through the manifold, the delivery tubes, and the interstitial space and through the enclosure. The delivery tubes terminate opposite upper corners of the IV bag and are aimed in such a manner that the sterilant vapor gas flows through and contacts all surfaces which define the interstitial space. After sterilization, the sterilant vapor is displaced with sterile air and the IV bag assemblies are removed and the overwrap is sealed to prevent microbial recontamination.

Abstract: A cleaning sterilization apparatus for topsoil which includes: an apparatus body provided with crawlers for traveling over a ground surface and an engine for driving the crawlers; an intake apparatus for taking up the topsoil into the apparatus body; a separating apparatus for removing foreign matters from the soil; a heat sterilization apparatus for thermally sterilizing the topsoil thus separated; and a discharge port constituting for discharging the topsoil sterilized by the heat sterilization apparatus out of the apparatus body; the intake apparatus being provided at a lower portion thereof with an intake port to be moved up and down.

Abstract: A refrigerator freshening device includes an air-permeable container, enclosing a mixture, in particulate form, of a major amount of activated carbon and a minor amount of an odor-absorbing zeolite. The activated carbon is preferably characterized by a good distribution of large and small pores, at least 30 percent of the pores having a diameter of from about 15 to less than about 50 .ANG. and the zeolite by a strong organophilic character and a surface area of at least about 400 square meters per gram. The combination of particulate adsorbent materials preferably includes from about 5 to about 25 percent of the zeolite and from about 75 to about 95 percent of the activated carbon. The device preferably includes a front panel. a back panel, and a package constructed of flexible, porous material enclosing absorbent, wherein the front panel receives the back panel in nesting relationship and encloses the package of adsorbent material. Hooks are preferred to suspend the device freely within a refrigerator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary drum structure for a sterilizer. The structure includes: four beams (30, 32, 34, 36) disposed parallel to said axis and defining a rectangular parallelepiped volume; a plurality of spacer elements (52, 54, 56) disposed in the four faces defining said parallelepiped volume and forming triangulated structures; a second end part (60) fixed to second ends of the beams to define an inlet opening (64) into said drum; and a circular running path (62).

Abstract: An autoclave having end walls sturdily attached to one another by rods and a mobile, cylindrical lateral wall. When the lateral wall is moved into an operable position over the end walls, thereby sealing a working chamber defined between the end walls and when steam is introduced into the working chamber, each end wall will counteract pressure acting on its opposing counterpart. The autoclave need not be reinforced to hold the walls together. The rods connecting the end walls are hollow, and have ports disposed within the working chamber, so that steam may be introduced into the working chamber through these rods. Air from within the working chamber may also be vented by the rods. The lateral wall is vertically oriented and moved. A retaining wall traps condensate, which would otherwise escape when the lateral wall is lifted. An optional powered apparatus lifts and lowers the lateral wall into positions respectively exposing and sealing the working chamber.

Abstract: The present invention reveals an apparatus and method for sterilizing instruments at atmospheric pressure in a microwave oven. The apparatus is made of a tray for holding medical, surgical, dental, veterinary, or other instruments, a receiver for holding the tray, three containers, where one container holds a sterilization chemical and a second container holds sterile water, a cover for placement over the tray, and two pumps for transferring the liquids. The method requires a sterilization chemical that has a boiling point of greater than 100.degree. C. and that is at least slightly soluble or is rinsable in water. In addition, the entire microwave sterilization process is completed in less than six minutes.

Abstract: A countertop decontamination unit (A) has a decontamination chamber (10) which contains items to be sterilized, disinfected, or otherwise microbially decontaminated. A catheter (60) has an initial curve shape (62A). However, the catheter (60) is straightened in use and returns to a shape (62B). During a decontamination cycle, one or more porous clips (64) are disposed into frictional contact with the catheter. The clip (64) holds the catheter in the initial or undersized shape (62A) during the decontamination process. In the decontamination process, the decontamination fluid is heated at least to a temperature that resets the shape memory of the catheter (e.g., 40.degree.-60.degree. C.). The clip (64) has a sufficient porosity that microbial decontamination fluid penetrates through the clip to wet portions of the item surface in frictional contact with the clip assuring total microbial decontamination of the catheter.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of an acid in its anhydrous form from an aqueous solution containing the acid in its hydrated form. Adding to the solution a weak base in the form of a soluble salt of the acid and concentrating the solution containing the acid hydrate and the salt of the acid to a substantially water-free, acid-salt mixture. The acid is distilled off in its anhydrous form from the acid salt mixture.

Abstract: A method for in-situ modernization of a reactor for carrying out heterogeneous exothermic synthesis reactions, in particular of the so-called lozenge type including an external shell (2), calls for prearrangement within the shell (2) of a plurality of superimposed catalyst beds (12, 13, 14) supported at a pre-set distance by means of support elements (22, 23, 24) rested on or fixed to, e.g. by welding, a plurality of annular shoulders (8a, 8b, 8c) pre-existing in the reactor.

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.

Abstract: When fumigating a bulk particulate commodity stored in a top-vented vertical silo by slowly passing a gas containing a low concentration of a gaseous fumigant through the bulk mass, differences between the temperature, T.sub.g, in the bulk mass and the ambient temperature, T.sub.a, outside the silo cause a "chimney effect" within the silo, and possible unwanted dilution of the fumigant. The chimney effect also occurs in other top-vented storage structures containing particulate commodities. To overcome the chimney effect, the fumigant-containing gas is supplied through a duct to the base of the storage structure at a flow rate Q.sub.f (in m.sup.3 sec.sup.1) determined by the relationship ##EQU1## where g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m sec .sup.2); P.sub.a is the atmospheric pressure expressed in Pascals; R.sub.a is the gas constant for air (=287 J kg.sup.-1 K.sup.-1); T.sub.a is in K; T.sub.g is also in K; R is a resistance factor (in Pascals sec m.sup.

Abstract: An improved apparatus which can be used for cleaning and/or sterilizing tubular items. A container is partitioned into two chambers with the item to be cleaned and/or sterilized is positioned to extend through the partition such that one opening lies in one chamber and another opening lies in the other chamber. A flexible membrane is positioned to affect each chamber. By deforming the flexible membrane, inward and outward, a flow between the chambers is created. This flow must pass through the hollow item. Mechanical pressure from the flow cleanses the interior of the tubular item and if a sterilant is used as the medium, then the interior portion of the hollow item is also sterilized.

Abstract: An apparatus for plasma sterilization of articles includes a plasma generator, a sterilizing chamber, and a source of water vapor in fluid communication with the plasma generator, and may optionally include an autoclave. A method for plasma sterilization comprises exposing an article to be sterilized to a neutral active species of a plasma generated from water vapor. The exposure of the article to the plasma is carried out at reduced pressures and a chamber temperature of less than about 82.degree. C. for a time period sufficient to effect sterilization.

Abstract: There is disclosed a label applying machine including a label applicator having a mounting plate and a resilient pad with selectively positionable vacuum buttons to hold labels of different sizes (lengths and widths) onto the label applicator by vacuum.

Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaner is constituted by a first catalyst carrying an Ag component, a second catalyst carrying an Ni component or two or more of an Ni component, Ag component and Cu component, and optionally a third catalyst carrying a noble metal component alone or in combination with a base metal component. The second and third catalysts may be physically mixed to form a mixed catalyst. Another exhaust gas cleaner is constituted by a mixed catalyst of a first catalyst carrying an Ag component and a second catalyst carrying an Ni component alone or in combination with a Cu component, and a third catalyst carrying a noble metal component alone or in combination with a base metal component. Still another exhaust gas cleaner is constituted by a first catalyst carrying an Ag component, a second catalyst which is a mixture of an Ni catalyst, Ag catalyst and Cu catalyst, and optionally a third catalyst carrying a noble metal component alone or in combination with a base metal component.

Abstract: For the testing and cleaning of instruments (20) with continuous channels (25) for minimal invasive surgery or minimal invasive examination of body cavities, use is made of a testing and cleaning tray (10) for the instruments (20), which testing and cleaning tray (10) has flushing channels (30; 31), and of a holder arrangement (41) which receives this tray (10) and has attachments for each flushing channel (30). A fluid source (47) is connected via a distributor (56) to valves (57) and to the attachments of the holder arrangement (41). Using a throughput testing device (46; 55), the channels (25) of the instruments (20) are tested for penetrability individually or in groups one after another by means of fluid from the fluid source (47) being conveyed to the channels (25).

Abstract: A low prime, high heat exchange efficiency oxygenator is provided which includes an oxygenation portion and a heat exchanger portion. Disposed within the heat exchanger portion is a hollow tube heat exchanger wound bundle which includes a plurality of hollow tubes knitted into a mat, the mat wound under tension into a bundle which includes from 16 to 24 layers of the mat. The oxygenator provided permits prime volumes of 180 to 240 mLs.

Abstract: An improved apparatus which can be used for cleaning and/or sterilizing tubular items. A container is partitioned into two chambers with the item to be cleaned and/or sterilized is positioned to extend through the partition such that one opening lies in one chamber and another opening lies in the other chamber. Pressure is applied to one chamber forcing the liquid to surge into the second chamber. The surging affect is facilitated through the use of either a flexible membrane in the second chamber, or the use of dual pistons which are one hundred eighty degrees out of synchronization such that one chamber is being pressurized while the second chamber is be de-pressurized.

Abstract: Process for discharging solid particulate products present in a fluidized bed reactor in which the polymerization or copolymerization of alpha-olefins is carried out, in a system consisting of a vessel connected to the reactor by way of a pipe provided with a first valve and connected to a reservoir situated downstream by way of a pipe provided with a second valve, the said method being characterized in that:the two valves consist of continuously rotating plug, valves, these valves being moved in such a way that the two valves are not open at the same time, even partly, and the volume of the vessel comprises between 1/10 and 1/000, and preferably between 1/100 and 1/500 of the volume of fluidized solid contained in the reactor.

Abstract: A device for introducing a hydrocarbon into a riser reactor containing a tubular diluent gas conduit having an interior surface and exterior wall surface where the interior wall surface is for passing a diluent gas into the reactor and two or more tubular hydrocarbon supply conduits, longitudinally perforated, arranged within the tubular diluent gas conduit where the longitudinal perforations are adapted to pass the diluent gas from the tubular diluent gas conduit into the tubular hydrocarbon supply conduit.