Abstract: Apparatus and a method for investigating dynamic rheological properties of a viscoelastic medium involves oscillating at least one shear wave generation surface in a container containing the viscoelastic medium such that shear waves generated thereby impinge on two spaced shear wave receiving surfaces, the receiving surfaces being spaced by different distances from the source of shear waves impinging thereon. Transducers are provided for the shear wave receiving surfaces capable of generating output signals dependent on the variations in physical parameters of heating the wave receiving surfaces induced by the oscillating shear wave generation surfaces.

Abstract: A method for measuring the concentration of a chemical substance by spectrophotometry comprising the steps of placing a sample of a photoreactive substance between the light source and a spectrophotometer, obtaining an absorption spectrum of the substance using a fixed amount of light from the light source, obtaining a second absorption spectrum after a short interval, comparing the two to determine the concentration of the chemical substance from the difference in the spectra. If the chemical substance is not photoreactive, a photoreactive mixture can be made with a photoreactive dye that has photoreactive properties unique to the mixture. Alternatively, an optically transparent substrate can absorb the substance or the dye/substance mixture.

Abstract: In a color reaction method for detecting particular classes of explosives, a sample from a suspect source is subjected serially to the indicated reagents in the liquid phase, the reagents after the first being applied only if no color reaction has been obtained in the preceding test. The second and third reagents only are applied in presence of the preceding reagent(s). The first reagent is an alkaline solution of a diazotizable aminoaromatic azo-dye precursor, which detects nitroaromatic explosives. The second reagent is a strongly acidic reagent containing a nitrate to nitrite ion reducing agent and a diazo-coupler, which detects organic nitrates and nitramines. The third reagent is zinc powder suspended in a liquid, which detects inorganic nitrates. The fourth reagent is an aniline salt in a homogeneous strongly acidic solution including a water-miscible organic solvent, which detects chlorates and bromates. The invention includes also a test kit for use in the method.

Abstract: The gas generator has two tubes, coaxial to each other, with different diameters, between which there is formed an annular intermediate chamber. The inner tube is filled with gas-producing material in the form of pellets, which develops pressure gas when ignited, the gas emerges via openings in both tubes. Projecting into the inner tube there is an ignition device, which extends through the cylindrical walls of both tubes. The ignition device is held by a ring or tubular holding body, which is substantially shorter than both tubes and fills out the intermediate chamber between both tubes. Both tubes are provided with peripheral openings aligning with each other, and the holding body has an installation through-hole, into which the ignition device is positioned. The holding body has furthermore a slot. The ignition device is held in a reliable manner by means of the holding body.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use in the sterilization of contact lenses or the like, wherein lenses are disposed within a sterilizing solution contained within a reaction vessel, which sterilizing solution is capable of being decomposed through contact with a catalytic agent. The apparatus comprises a reaction vessel capable of containing a sterilizing solution and comprising a container portion, a cover and structure for supporting an article in contact with sterilizing solution in the container. Further structure is provided for mounting a catalytic agent on the supporting structure such that the catalytic agent is removable for replacement by a user as the catalytic agent becomes exhausted in use.

Abstract: For measuring the air charge of a plastic component for a low-pressure multicomponent foam system, the gas-charged plastic component is admitted into a measuring chamber. The gas pressure of the plastic component displaces a measuring piston in the measuring chamber and the displacement distance of the piston is a measure of the gas charge.

Abstract: A first fluid having a dyed styrene monomer is injected into a porous reservoir rock to effect saturation. A second fluid, miscible with the first fluid and having a dyed styrene monomer differing in color from the first fluid, is injected into the porous rock to displace the first fluid. Effluent flow from the porous rock is monitored with UV-visible light spectroscopy for use in determining oil displacement characteristics of the porous rock. Subsequent rapid polymerization of the styrene monomer within the porous rock allows identification and characterization of the controlling factors and attributes of the pore network responsible for entrapment of the residual phase. This allows assessment of larger intervals of the reservoir rock.

Abstract: Sealed, deformable, air-containing packages or pouches are subject to heat sterilization in a sealable processing vessel. The shape and integrity of the sealed deformable packages is maintained through precise temperature and pressure control. The improved process includes a method for calculating the partial saturated volatile material vapor pressures during the "come-up", "processing", and "come-down" phases. The partial saturated volatile material vapor pressure used during the "come-up" and "processing" phases is calculated at the highest temperature of the contents of the package. The partial saturated volatile material vapor pressure used during the "come-down" phase is calculated at the lowest temperature of the package. The present invention discloses an improved process for controlling the pressure inside retort equipment when sterilizing food in deformable plastic packages with film-type lids and any volume of headspace.

Abstract: An improved adhesion testing apparatus (20) for the accurate, quantitative measurement of adhesion of coherent flowable materials such as doughs is provided which includes an extrusion-type sample holding device (42) together with a shiftable probe (38). The device (42) includes a base (46) threadably interconnected with a top (48), the latter supporting an extrusion screen (50). In use, a dough sample placed within the base (46) is extruded through the screen (50) in order to present a test portion (92) above the screen (50); the plunger (38) is then lowered into contact with the portion (92), and rapidly withdrawn. The force required to separate the plunger (38) from the test portion (92) is recorded as a measure of adhesion. Provision of the screen (50) essentially eliminates the potentially interferring factor of dough flow in the measurement of adhesion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring particulates in a combustion gas is accomplished by dividing the combustion gas into a first and second sample gas. The first sample gas is filtered to remove particulates to create a reference gas sample. A combustion furnace can heat both the reference gas sample and the sample gas to oxidize any particulates in the sample gas. A gas analyzer that is connected to the furnace can detect the gas components in, respectively, the reference gas sample and the sample gas, and a comparison of the detected results can determine the concentration of particulates.

Abstract: A valve for a sterilizer container comprises an elastic support body in the form of a pressure capsule which holds the valve in open position. This pressure capsule communicates with the interior of a headpiece which is sealingly arranged on the valve cap, the capsule having a valve opening which can be closed by the plug of an adjusting member. The closing is effected, after the sterilization temperature has been reached, by a temperature-sensitive member which has an alloy which melts when the sterilization temperature is reached. The alloy when in solidified state holds the adjusting member, which is under spring tension, fast and permits it to move as soon as it melts. The adjusting member can be clamped by means of a one-way coupling when the alloy is solidified. The entire valve arrangement can be removed from the container. It preferably lies in a cup-shaped depression in the lid of the container, the possibility of stacking with other containers being thus assured.

Abstract: Gas generator of lightweight construction, especially of an impact protection system for occupants of a vehicle, wherein a housing shell and a cover are made in one piece, formed of light metal such as aluminum, and have internally located screw-threaded parts which are screwed against each other, so that they are connected to one another tightly in a press fit positive lock manner and in a compression-proof manner, and also accommodate and hold between them the igniter, the propellant, and the filter. This leads to considerably reduced production costs for series production. Despite the weight reduction achieved, the gas generator is resistant to high temperatures, and the propellant gases discharged are sufficiently cool and muffled.

Abstract: An improved specimen test unit is provided for use in the collection and analysis of a biological specimen or the like. The test unit includes a swab member having a hollow shaft closed at a rear end by a break-off nib, and a swab tip at a front end for collecting a selected specimen. The swab shaft rear end is carried by a housing base, with the break-off nib extending into a reagent chamber having a selected reagent therein. The housing base is sufficiently deformable to break the nib and thereby permit reagent delivery through the swab shaft to contact a collected specimen on the swab tip. In a preferred form, a housing cap removably interfits with the housing base to define a specimen chamber with the swab tip enclosed therein, with the housing base and/or cap being conveniently formed from blow molded plastic components.

Abstract: Non-instrumented assays are providing employing a flow-path with a moveable sample receiving pad, which moves from a sample receiving site to a bridging site between a transport element and a measurement region. A reagent transport solution is employed which comprises enzymes capable of reacting with the analyte to produce hydrogen peroxide, where horseradish peroxidase may catalyze a reaction resulting in the formation of a detectable boundary in the measurement region. The distance of the boundary is indicative of the amount of analyte in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator for air bags that includes a first shell having a circular part and an outer wall. The outer wall is formed of a porous material which allows gas to pass freely therethrough. A second shell is attached to the first shell to form a housing into which is installed a gas generating device. A plurality of first and second blade members fasten the first and second shells together. The blade members are placed in contact with the circumferential surface of the canister and arranged along the circumference of the canister at periodic intervals to form a ring. The second blade members have a width at least equal to the circumferential interval between the first blade members and are spaced radially from the first blade members and shifted in the circumferential direction from the first blade members to positions facing the intervals between the first blade members.

Abstract: The device of the present invention is a roll up mat-like structure which may be used to retain sterile and/or contaminated tools, dental and medical instruments, probes and the like. The device is adapted to protect the tools from contamination by coming in contact with persons, inadvertently, and to minimize the risk of the transmission of infectious disease by allowing contaminated tools to come into contact with persons. The device also minimizes the risk of cross-contamination of tools. Finally, the device in accordance with the present invention is of a size and shape which will allow it to be conveniently utilized with conventional cleaning apparatus thus reducing the amount of manipulation contaminated tools require.

Abstract: An ozone decomposing material comprises an ozone decomposing agent and a support material for supporting thereon the ozone decomposing agent by adsorption, and an ozone decomposing apparatus comprises the above ozone decomposing material and an ozone decomposing agent supply means for supplying the ozone decomposing agent to the support material, by which the ozone decomposing agent is adsorbed.

Abstract: A container is arranged to include an internal cavity to receive at least one porous bag member therewithin, with the porous bag member arranged to contain manure and composting therewithin for seepage into the container when fluid is directed therein. A modification of the container structure is arranged to include a plurality of support members, each including a screen grid floor to permit screening of various components to prevent their flow from the container. Sponge inserts are arranged for positioning selectively on each screen floor to impart various additives into a fertilizer solution.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes and apparatus for detecting the overall nature of combustion gases using a detector comprising a semi-conducting film of a metallic phthalocyanine which is deposited between two electrodes on an insulating wafer and which is placed in contact with the combustion gases and maintained at a temperature higher than a determined threshold, for example higher than 40.degree. C. for a monoclinic copper phthalocyanine, in order to render the phthalocyanine insensitive to the water vapour contained in the combustion gases.