Abstract: The invention relates to a sterilizing system for sterilizing containers. In accordance with the invention, an external actuating element is provided in an autoclave chamber structure to hold special closure elements and/or the container lid in an open position and to bring them into a closed position before the autoclave is opened.

Abstract: A rapid, microwave-based Kjeldahl digestion method wherein microwave energy is applied to an acid/sample mixture at the beginning of, and thereafter during the digestion. After the application of microwave energy is discontinued, the digestate is diluted by pulsed addition of water, followed by continuous addition of water. Dilution in this manner prevents a sudden surge in gas evolution, and eliminates the need for an intervening cooling step, thereby reducing processing time. Also provided is a method for fat separation from a fat-containing protein sample during the digestion.

Abstract: The test tube holder includes an elongated tubular member which supports a pivot member thereby rendering the tubular member and pivot member relatively pivotable with respect to each other. Latch members provided on the tubular member and pivot member are engagable with complementary shaped latch members of other test tube holders to form a linkage. The pivotal relationship between the tubular member and the pivot member permit pivotal movement of one test tube holder with respect to the longitudinal axis of another test tube holder. A pivotal connection between the latch members of adjacent test tube holders also permits tilting of one test tube holder with respect to another test tube holder in the linkage. An adapter member for holding test tubes is insertable in the tubular member and pivot member assembly. The adapter member accommodates one size test tube and can be interchanged with another adapter member that accommodates another size test tube.

Abstract: An autoclave useful for pressure digestion of samples for chemical analysis, consisting of a closeable vessel containing the sample, which during operation sustains elevated temperatures and pressures. The autoclave has a PTFE (Teflon) beaker and lid, in direct contact with each other thus forming a tight seal with an excess-pressure release mechanism. The assembled vessel is held in a device that presses the sealing surfaces of the beaker and lid together, through pressure on a metallic lid support disc. The sealing surfaces of the beaker and lid are free-standing, which permits a direct release of excess-pressure and necessitates an extended clamping device for the lid support disc, which is fixed at a single point.

Abstract: A system for analysis of trace concentration of contaminants in air includes a portable liquid chromatograph and a preconcentrator for the contaminants to be analyzed. The preconcentrator includes a sample bag having an inlet valve and an outlet valve for collecting an air sample. When the sample is collected the sample bag is connected in series with a sorbing apparatus in a recirculation loop. The sorbing apparatus has an inner gas-permeable container containing a sorbent material and an outer gas-impermeable container. The sample is circulated through the outer container and around the inner container for trapping and preconcentrating the contaminants in the sorbent material. The sorbent material may be a liquid having the same composition as the mobile phase of the chromatograph for direct injection thereinto.

Abstract: Apparatus for catalytically reducing noxious substances in flue gas employes, in a first embodiment wherein combustion air is also pre-heated, a two-part heat-exchanger which is traversed from top to bottom by a plurality of catalytically active, separately movable heat-storage elements. Combustion gas is heated in a first portion of the heat-exchanger by heat transferred from the heat-storage elements and the noxious gases are catalytically reduced in a second portion of the heat-exchanger downstream from the first portion in the presence of ammonia and the heat-storage elements. The heat-storage elements can be removed from circulation and replaced by unspent or regenerated elements when the residual content of noxious substances in the flue gas remains elevated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for the insertion of carrier elements with comb-like titer strips into a microtiter plate and to provide a convenient holder for washing the titer strips. The apparatus provides a container and a changing insert with guide lamellas and space rods for holding the carrier elements.

Abstract: There are disclosed polyethylene evaporation covers and a method of analysis that uniquely solve the problem of contamination of CKMB test elements when phosphorous test elements are incubated in the same incubator. The solution is to have the surface of the evaporation cover the contacts the test element, be non-porous polyethylene.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising a blood-collection tube containing an acid such as citric acid in an amount effective to adjust the pH of the blood to be collected in the tube to a level between 5.0 to 7.0. The blood-collection tube may also contain NaF in an amount to produce a concentration thereof between 0.1 to 0.5 mg/ml of the blood.

Abstract: There are described a novel removable pipette tip and pipette therefor, which provide separation of substances of a liquid within the tip by centrifuging the tip. The tip comprises a liquid-confining cavity disposed about an axis of symmetry, a dispensing aperture, and separating structure spaced along the axis away from the dispensing aperture, for separating one of the liquid substances when the tip is spun about such axis. The pipette is rotatable and either the pipette or the analyzer includes a driver for spinning the pipette tip at high speed.

Abstract: A catalytic converter utilizing a resilient, flexible shot-free ceramic fiber containing mounting mat for mounting a monolith with a metallic casing is disclosed. The mounting mat may be comprised of shot-free composite of shot-free ceramic fibers in combination with an intumescent sheet material.

Abstract: Equipment for measuring the rate of erythrosettling of blood comprises a plurality of pipettes, a rack for holding the pipettes upright, and a closure element for the bottom end of each pipette. The rack includes an elongated pedestal, a portal attached to the pedestal, a plurality of seats adapted to receive the pipettes by snap action and formed in the portal, and a bridge element associated with the portal and straddling it. The bridge element is displaceable elastically from a home position to a working position interfering with the pipettes, for simultaneously removing the pipettes from their snap-action holding seats. The invention affords the advantage that the operator is not required to come in contact with the blood being analyzed.

Abstract: A device for the catalytic cleaning of motor vehicle exhaust gases, comprises a housing having a central region with at least one monolith of a material such as a ceramic, an inner shell is arranged within the housing at least in places. The inner shell extends into at least one part of the monolith containing region of the housing and leads up to the monolith and is secured there. The end of the inner sheel at the end of the housing is free for thermal expansion motions relative to the housing.

Abstract: A filtration system for handling an array of filter wells which are open at the top and closed by a filter membrane at the bottom. The system includes a manifold chamber defined by side and bottom walls and having a support for the wells which carries the filter membranes above the bottom walls so that filtrate may be drawn through the membranes. A vacuum fitting is connected to the chamber so that a low pressure source may be applied thereto, and a sealing sheet extends over the wells and having holes aligned with the open tops of the wells so that when the low pressure is applied to the chamber, filtrate may be drawn through the membrane.

Abstract: The invention provides a specimen collection and sampling device, particularly useful for urine samples, for collecting a liquid sample and segregating an aliquot of the sample away from contact with the remaining portion of the sample. This segregation is accomplished as the lid is closed on the container. In one embodiment, the aliquot sample is transferred to an evacuated tube held within the container. In another embodiment, the aliquot is held within a sample chamber that is built into the container. In a preferred embodiment, the aliquot is mixed with a treating agent to maintain the microbiological integrity of the aliquot, or to provide an appropriate reagent or buffer for drug analysis.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sample preparation chamber for a system for preparing samples of various compositions for assay by liquid chromatography. The sample preparation chamber is includes a container having a threaded cap and a threaded, lightweight, translucent plastic cup. A stirrer/grinder shaft driven by a motor and connected to a propeller/grinder passes through the cap. The cup has a sloped bottom with a sump region, and a fill/empty pipe passes through the cap and has its outlet at or near the sump. A nozzle/fill pipe arrangement allows the walls to be washed down as liquid is pumped into the cup. A second fill pipe with its outlet spaced up from the bottom of the cup is also used, and a sample metering valve having an inlet in said cup is present.

Abstract: For vial samples of milk collected along a route of dairy farms, a sample vials tray is provided of foldable mode that can be readily accommodated within the limited-volume ice chest of the route agent's truck. At the agent's milk processing plant, the same tray, and with the sample vials undisturbed therein, can be employed in the non-folded and latched condition required for automated laboratory analysis of milk samples contained in the tray-housed vials. A multi-prongs type holder holds each vial in a secure condition during the vehicular journey from dairy farm to milk processing plant. The foldable tray utilizes a special hinge that is relegated to a non-obtrusive location that does not interfere with the tray's usage in concert with automated laboratory analytical equipment.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane type oxygenator is provided wherein a bundle of a plurality of hollow porous fibers presenting gas exchange membranes axially extends through a housing to define a first flow path for oxygen, a pair of partitions support the opposed open ends of the hollow fibers to isolate the open ends from the first flow path to define a second flow path through the fiber cavities for blood, and the micropores in the hollow fibers are filled with a silicone compound, for exmaple, a RTV silicone rubber or a blend thereof with a silicone oil while the hollow fibers on their side wall are substantially free of a layer of the silicone compound. The oxygenator is manufactured by prefabricating an oxygenator module of the above-mentioned construction, impregnating the hollow fibers with a solution of the silicone compound, and passing a cleaning liquid to remove excessive silicone compound, thereby filling only the micropores with the silicone compound.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting oil and other lighter-than-water contaminants in an effluent stream in a sewage system. The apparatus includes a disposable detector which floats in the effluent stream and detects oil and other contaminants having a specific gravity lighter than the water by absorbing the oil and such contaminants in an oleophilic material, permitting the oil and other contaminants to rise and collect in a collection tube. The acidity of pH of the effluent being monitored is determined by routing a portion of the effluent stream across a litmus paper.

Abstract: Perfluorocarbon emulsion formulations are oxygenated prior to use by means of a portable oxygenation system. The blood substitute is in a closed container or bag. An oxygen-containing gas is introduced into the bag from a separate container. The bag is continuously agitated for a sufficient time to increase the pO.sub.2 of the perfluorocarbon emulsion formulations to a desired pressure, e.g., to at least 600 mmHg. In one embodiment, the system used for oxygenation of the perfluorocarbon emulsion formulations comprises a small tank for gas having an inlet port and an outlet port fitted with shut-off valves. The outlet port is adapted to be connected to a filter which, in turn, is adapted to be connected to the inlet port of a three-way valve. The primary outlet of the three-way valve is adapted to mount a hypodermic needle which is adapted to be pushed through a rubber septum in a port of the bag to communicate with the interior of the bag.