Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for the substantial separation on a continuous flow basis of immiscible liquids flowing as a common stream, with one of the liquids substantially encapsulating another of the liquids, in a flow conduit. The conduit comprises an inner surface which is selectively "wettable" by one of the liquids to the substantial exclusion of another of the liquids; and the liquid separator apparatus are disposed in the conduit and operate to substantially separate the liquids, or at least a portion of one of the liquids, from the common liquids stream as that stream flows into contact with the separator apparatus in the conduit.Apparatus and method for the introduction of a liquid on a continuous flow basis into a flowing stream of another liquid which is immiscible therewith and is flowing in a flow conduit are also provided.

Abstract: A device for collection and transporting of stool samples. The device has a container with a lid having a spoon secured to the underside of the lid. The spoon is angled at approximately 45.degree. to facilitate sample collection, and has a generally straight cutting edge. A secondary access aperture is provided in the lid for accessing the interior of the container once the lid has been applied.

Abstract: A support rack for ring handled surgical instruments for use at the incision site in the operating room. The rack comprises an expandable two sectioned interconnected base which allows one half to slide over the other, supports at each end at the top, and a corrugated upper surface. The rack is intended to replace the rolled towel in the sterile field and is useful for keeping the instruments upright and in order, easy to pick up and pass to the surgeon, and for facilitating the before and after count.

Abstract: An autoclave has a water level sensor in a water reservoir in the pressure vessel. An external water tank is connected to the reservoir via an electrically-operated valve. An electrical resistance heating element in the reservoir heats the sensor if it indicates a full level at the start of operation, in order to dry any exposed part of the sensor and thereby prevent an erroneous output from the sensor caused by water clining to it. This heating of the sensor can be repeated if it continues to indicate a full level. If a low level output is produced by the sensor, the valve is opened to allow water to flow from the tank to the reservoir. If the valve remains open for longer than a predetermined time without the sensor indicating a full level, the autoclave produces a fault signal.

Abstract: In an unplumbed sterilizer, a measured quantity of liquid is introduced into a partially evacuated chamber in a dump period. The liquid quantity is automatically controlled by closing a valve in the additional conduit upon the occurrence of either (a) the chamber pressure attaining a preset value, or (b) elapsing of a preset time, whichever occurs first.

Abstract: For the treatment of exhaust gases, more particularly the catalytic treatment of exhaust gases from IC engines, and more especially the exhaust gases of an automobile, the exhaust gases are passed through a preconverter associated with a main converter and designed for cold start conditions, as long as the engine is in a first operating condition thereof, in which the exhaust gas temperature is not sufficient to activate the main converter. As soon as a second operating state is attained, in which the exhaust gas temperature activates the main converter, the exhaust gases are passed in parallel via the preconverter and the main converter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for producing polyolefins by a fluidized gas phase polymerization process utilizing two stacked, substantially vertically aligned, reactors and a substantially vertical product transfer line for transfer of intermediate polyolefin polymer product from the polymerization zone of the upper reactor to the polymerization zone of the lower reactor. This abstract shall not be construed to define or limit in any way the scope of the invention, which is measured solely by the appended claims.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a multiple holder for test tubes, which receives a plurality of individual test tubes for the simultaneous flow-through of a gas sample with the gas entering the tubes through at least one opened end, from a connection piece which has a flow outlet. The multiple holder of the invention receives commercially available test tubes with fused tips and includes an arrangement to simultaneously open all the test tubes introduced. To achieve this, the multiple holder 1 is designed such that at least one section 6, 6a can be tilted down, as a result of which the tips 8 of all the test tubes 2 introduced can be broken off simultaneously at least at one end.

Abstract: A housing accommodates a hollow fiber bundle such that a blood port zone is defined between an open end surface of the hollow fiber bundle and an inner wall surface of the housing. The blood port zone includes an increased distance space, which is formed annularly along an edge portion of the open end surface of the hollow fiber bundle and communicates with the blood port, and a small distance space, which communicates with the blood port and has an end wall surface substantially parallel to V, and at a small distance from V, the open end surface of the hollow fiber bundle. A movable member, such as a flexible membrane facing the end surface of the hollow fiber bundle, is provided for varying the volume of the blood port zone. A restriction is provided for restricting the movement of the movable member.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon feedstock is dispersed in an FCC riser by directing jets of atomized feed droplets into a flowing stream of catalyst particles in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the riser. By directing the feed into the riser in a substantially perpendicular direction feed is more quickly dispersed across the entire cross section of the riser. By quickly dispersing feed the mixture of hydrocarbons and catalyst particles is completely mixed after traveling only a short distance along the riser from the point of feed introduction. Reducing this contact zone length improves the quality of riser products by eliminating variations in the contact time between the feed and catalyst. In addition to the short contact zone length this invention also combines the desirable features of catalyst pre-acceleration and feed atomization.

Abstract: A device having a blood oxygenator and heat exchanger of the outside perfusion type. The blood oxygenator employs a tightly packed, crisscrossing bundle of gas permeable hollow fibers. The heat exchanger employs a bundle of polyurethane, liquid impermeable hollow tubes. A center divider facilitates two separate compartments and allows control over pack densities within each compartment while allowing blood to move in a planar manner throughout the device.

Abstract: A test tube holder and tray assembly designed for use with a dri-bath incubator. The test tube holder comprises a top shelf which comprises a rigid top plate and a sheet of flexible material secured to the rigid plate having a second plurality of openings which are aligned with the openings in the top plate. The openings in the elastomeric material are slightly smaller than the test tubes such that when test tubes are placed therethrough a frictional engagement is provided so as to maintain the test tubes in the desired position. A bottom shelf is spaced from the top shelf and secured thereto. A tray is provided for holding the test tube holder and allows pre-positioning of test tubes therein so that the test tube holder and test tubes placed therein can be used directly with a dri-bath incubator.

Abstract: A hollow fiber blood oxygenator is provided having a plurality of enclosed, coaxial heat exchanger coils, having a common header to insure uniform temperature in the coils. An enclosed fiber bundle is concentrically positioned inside the heat exchanger coils to define a flow path around the coils and through the fiber bundle. The heat exchanger coils and the outside of the fiber bundle are tapered to provide a close fit. Gas manifolds direct gas flow to and from the hollow fibers.

Abstract: A chemical analyzer has a cold-storage chamber and a tape-feeding cassette which can be accommodated in the cold-storage chamber and is detachable therefrom. The cassette contains a chemical analysis tape and has an opening through which the tape can be taken out of the cassette. A section of the tape-feeding cassette inside of the opening is sealed off from the atmosphere and from other parts of the cassette. The tape passes through this section. This section is provided with air which has a relative humidity not higher than 70% such that the pressure therein is positive.

Abstract: A membrane oxygenator having a gas pressure relief valve operable to release gas when the gas pressure in the oxygenator exceeds a predetermined level. Generally, the membrane oxygenator includes a housing in which is mounted a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane, i.e. a bundle of microporous hollow fibers. This membrane defines separate oxygen enrichable fluid and gas flow pathways. The housing also includes both gas and oxygen enrichable fluid inlet and outlet ports communicating with respective opposite ends of the gas and oxygen enrichable fluid flow pathways. The gas pressure relief valve communicates with the gas flow pathway.

Abstract: A device including an integrally formed membrane oxygenator and heat exchange device positioned in a single housing. The device includes a thermally conductive body formed with a plurality of blood pathways on its surface, and a gas permeable membrane, or membranes positioned in the housing in substantial contact with the heat exchange body to cover or lie within a portion of each of the pathways. The membrane defines a gas pathway separate from the blood pathway through which a gas is directed. The blood is directed through the individual blood pathways. The device also includes various ports and passageways for delivering the blood to the individual channels, and for collecting and removing the blood from the device.

Abstract: Laboratory tube, particularly centrifuge tube holders which float in water and have end members which can be pivoted between a substantially vertical lower position and a substantially vertical upper position in about 90 degree increments. In their lower position, the members serve as legs, while in an intermediate position, storage is facilitated. When in the upper position, the end members serve as handles and may be designed to lock in place an insert that prevents lids of the centrifuge tubes from inadvertently opening.

Abstract: A multi-well test plate which includes a base and a plurality of well strips. The well strips are removable from the base and the individual wells of each strip are separable. The wells in each strip are joined by T-shaped connecting members which hold the wells in a flat linear array when the well strips are either held in or removed from the base and the T-shaped members are readily severable to permit easy separation of individual wells. The bottom wall of each well is a microporous membrane.

Abstract: A conduit for carrying fluid in a downstream direction includes a diffusing section. Downstream extending convolutions in the wall of a diffusing section energize the boundary layer and delay boundary layer separation from the wall surface of the diffusing section or permit an increase in the diffusion angle without the occurrence of separation. Such convolutions are particularly useful when rapid diffusion is required in a short distance, such as in the diffusing section of automotive catalytic converter systems. Such a system carries engine exhaust products from a small, cylindrical pipe into a typically larger elliptical cross-section catalyst filled portion. The convolutions help to more uniformly disperse the exhaust gas throughout the catalyst bed using a relatively short diffusion section.

Abstract: An apparatus for concurrently oxygenating and pumping blood circulated extra-corporeally in vascular assistance includes at least one blood-oygenating fluid interface permeable to gas and impermeable to blood. The interface is provided within a container to define an exchange area between a first circulation space for blood and a second circulation space for an oxygenating fluid. A pressure control device is provided for periodically varying the pressure of an oxygenating fluid acting on the interface within the second circulation space. As a result, the oxygenated blood in the first circulation space is pumped therefrom through the oxygenated blood outlet concurrently during oxygenation of blood within the first circulation space.