Abstract: A suction assembly employs an air induction tube to induct air into the recirculating water pump to cause the pump to cease pumping operation when the front face of the assembly is blocked. The induction tube is connected to a bleed path formed between the induction tube and a surrounding coaxial face tube extended into the assembly from the front face. When the face is blocked by hair or the like, water in the induction tube bleeds into the main chamber of the assembly and empties the induction tube. Air is then pulled into the pump, causing the pump to lose prime thereby reducing pump pressure to zero and allowing the hair or other blocking material to be removed. In a preferred embodiment, the induction tube is connected to the air inlet of at least one venturi-type hydromassage jet assembly. The suction assembly employs a spring-loaded induction stem which bears compressively against the interior face of the suction cover, thereby permitting use of conventional suction covers.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a powdered or granular material comprises a cylindrical chute, which is mounted in a manner to be movable in a vertical direction and through which passes the loading material, a screw type extruder for extruding the loading material from inside the chute, the extruder being mounted to a lower open end portion of the chute and capable of closing the lower open end of the chute, driving means for driving the extruder, a wire having one end fixed to the tip of the chute and having the other end fixed to a wind-up device through pulleys, and a load cell for detecting an amount of change in the thrust received by the extruder from the powdery or granular loading material. The wind-up device is operated on the basis of the value detected by the load cell.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for charging a bioreactor with feed material through a sight port in the bioreactor vessel wall without compromising sterility of the material or the vessel or releasing organisms from the vessel to the surrounding atmosphere.