Abstract: A method and system for injecting liquid into containers and for inspecting containers for the presence of certain substances such as potential contaminants such as ammonium salts or amine salts in glass or plastic bottles. A high speed system and method are provided for detecting these contaminants in these bottles. Ammonia and amines can be detected by chemiluminescence of samples of volatiles emitted from the bottles during the high speed inspection process. A solution of Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 is injected into the bottles in order to enhance the conversion of ammonium or amine salts to free ammonia or amines which are then released as vapors. This enhances the likelihood that a gas-phase detection system such as one using chemiluminescence detection techniques will detect the presence of contaminants containing ammonium salts or amine salts.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for continuous, cell-free, in vitro synthesis of peptides, particularly peptide-MHC complexes make use of a novel bioreactor flow cell which allows for the reproducible, systematic variation of single parameters in order to optimize translation processes. The bioreactor flow cell includes a pair of substantially parallel membranes positioned within a chamber to define therebetween a space, the ratio of total membrane surface area to chamber volume being at least 5 units.sup.-1, which permits high perfusion rates through the system with lower flux rate per membrane area. The apparatus also may include a novel countercurrent flow dialysis cell and other components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biosynthetic cerebrospinal fluid control and method of use. Additionally, this invention relates to the isolation and purification of stable liquid human prealbumin, a component in the biosynthetic cerebrospinal fluid control.

Abstract: Diluents and methodologies for determining the concentration of total calcium in a clinical sample (e.g. whole blood, sera plasma urine cerebro spinal fluid) containing protein-bound calcium are disclosed. Methodologies include the steps of: (a) admixing the sample with a diluent, the diluent including effective amounts of a pH buffer and at least two agents capable of complexing free calcium in the sample, where the agent-calcium complex association constants ("log K" in base 10) each have a range from about 1.5 to about 7.0; and (b) contacting an aliquot of the diluted sample with a calcium-specific ion selective electrode. The response of the calcium-specific ion selective electrode is an indication of the concentration of total calcium in the sample.

Abstract: A method of separating a first class of lipoprotein in a sample from a second class of lipoprotein in the sample including: precipitating the second class of lipoprotein; contacting the sample with a magnetically responsive particle; and placing the sample in a magnetic field until the magnetically responsive particle has sedimented, thereby causing the precipitated second class of lipoproteins to sediment, leaving the first class of lipoproteins in the supernatant of the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for sanitarily and easily collecting urine or other liquid specimens for testing, including a collection vessel having a handle portion and a cover. The relatively long, narrow dimensions of the collection vessel assure maneuverability. The handle also assists maneuverability, as well as facilitating sanitary collection of the specimen. The easy-to-use cover further ensures that the specimen remains free from contamination after collection, yet the user of the apparatus can readily and sanitarily seal the vessel.

Abstract: Plant for the powdered-paint spraying of pieces to be painted, comprising a spraying booth with replaceable walls of the disposable type and a unit for feeding and recovering the paint that has not deposited on the pieces to be painted. The booth comprises a supporting frame which delimits a spraying chamber having at least two walls or half-booths which are arranged mutually opposite, have replaceable sheets and are movably mounted with respect to one another for moving mutually closer and further apart to vary the section of the spraying chamber according to the width of the pieces to be painted.

Abstract: A method and system for injecting liquid into containers and for inspecting containers for the presence of certain substances such as potential contaminants such as ammonium salts or amine salts in glass or plastic bottles. A high speed system and method are provided for detecting these contaminants in these bottles. Ammonia and amines can be detected by chemiluminescence of samples of volatiles emitted from the bottles during the high speed inspection process. A solution of Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 is injected into the bottles in order to enhance the conversion of ammonium or amine salts to free ammonia or amines which are then released as vapors. This enhances the likelihood that a gas-phase detection system such as one using chemiluminescence detection techniques will detect the presence of contaminants containing ammonium salts or amine salts.

Abstract: A device for applying a lacquer coating to a disc-shaped registration carrier. The device includes a rotary table, to be rotated about an axis of rotation at different speeds, for supporting the registration carrier, as well as with an arm which is pivotable about a pivot axis. The arm has a lacquer supply nozzle at one end and the arm is pivotable between a first position near the axis of rotation of the rotary table and a second position beside the rotary table. The arm is mounted and arranged to be pivotable about an upwardly sloping pivot axis so that the pivot axis of the arm and the axis of rotation of the rotary table intersect or cross at a pint higher than the rotary table.

Abstract: A method for detecting a substance in a liquid sample involving precipitating a substance from the liquid sample and filtering it from the liquid sample. The precipitate is then contacted by an oxidizing agent and tested for the substance of interest by contacting the precipitate with a dye that forms a visible reaction when exposed to the substance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a culture device for growing microorganisms having a self supporting substrate coated with a cold-water soluble dry powder which is a mixture of gelling agents and nutrients and a transparent cover sheet having a layer of a water-soluble pressure sensitive adhesive containing indicator dyes on a surface adjacent to the substrate wherein the improvement includes either adding a sufficient amount of a water-insoluble organic acid to the adhesive or including a sufficient amount of acrylic acid as a comonomer in the adhesive in order to inhibit or prevent a premature color change of the indicator dyes.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer for detecting substances such as narcotics and explosives, has inlets for a sample gas and a drift gas. The gas can be ambient air, bottled air, or another gas source. To ensure accuracy and prevent drifting of analyte peaks, the air is dried. A two stage dryer is provided comprising a first dryer, preferably a dryer which chills the air and removes water by condensation. This removes the bulk of the water. The second dryer includes a suitable absorbent, and reduces the water content to around 1-10 .mu.g/L, i.e. a level which will not substantially affect the performance of the IMS apparatus. The first dryer substantially reduces the load on the second dryer, and enables an extended period of use before the absorbent material in the second dryer either needs to be replaced or regenerated. The increased stability of calibrant and analyte peak positions allows detection windows to be narrowed, resulting in significantly lower false alarm rates.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing fluids on a thin-layer chromatography plate is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing for multiple syringes containing chromatography samples. The apparatus also includes an actuator for independently engaging the syringes to release those samples onto the thin-layer chromatography plate. The apparatus further includes a moveable platform for supporting the thin-layer chromatography plate in proximity to the syringes.

Abstract: A metallic carrier composed of an end face portion formed in at least one of the axial end portions of a honeycomb body and an outer circumferential reinforcing layer in which foils in a range from the outermost layer to a quarter of the total number of layers are joined together in the axial intermediate portion. Thus, the metallic carrier is flexible in expansion and shrinkage. Further, the honeycomb body and a jacket are joined to each other mainly at the outer circumference of the outer circumferential reinforcing layer of the honeycomb body, to reduce thermal stress developed between the honeycomb body and jacket while maintaining the strength against a high temperature, to thereby prevent the metallic carrier from being ruptured.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a reaction cell for a sequencer and the like which includes a sample carrier assembly having a flexible, resilient spacer with a hole therein for retaining the sample on a membrane, a pair of alumina cells which bracket the spacer, one or more pads or spacers to retain the assembly in a tight fitting relation and a cap to secure the assembly together. The reagents are input and withdrawn from opposite edges of the sample membrane. The present invention has a minimal dead volume as a result of the spacer arrangement. It also permits benchtop sample loading due to the separation of the assembly into a carrier and base housing. The fluid lines are self-sealing to the reaction cell.

Abstract: A system for injecting liquid into containers moving through an inspection station at variable speeds without spilling liquid over the outside of, or between, the containers for inspecting the containers for the presence of certain substances such as potential contaminants, such as ammonium salts or amine salts in glass or plastic bottles. The movements of each container is tracked with sensors upstream of a high speed injector, and one or more nozzles is timed to inject liquid in a narrow, high velocity stream only while the top opening of a container is under the nozzle(s). The liquid is employed to enhance liberation of vapors from within the containers for detection of the contaminants in the containers.

Abstract: A powder coating booth and a recirculating air system is provided for electrostatic coating of articles. The booth includes an operator compartment and a spray chamber. A recirculating fan supplies air to the operator compartment which passes through a window into the spray chamber. The fan also provides air flow through orifice plates at the top of the spray chamber to surround the articles in a controlled manner. The fan additionally supplies air against the back wall of the spray chamber. All of the air in the spray chamber is passed through a reclamation filter and back to the fan. The entire system can be provided on a mobile base.

Abstract: This invention reduces the air pollution associated with spraying of paints, coatings, solvents or pesticides against a surface. Spraying invariable causes bounceback of sprayed solids as well as overspray consisting of bounceback and an aerosol of solids, solvent, and air and is an important source of air pollution. This invention is a resprayer consisting of a jet venturi induction pump located near the front of a spray gun which captures the overspray and a respray nozzle which redeposits the captured material on the work surface.

Abstract: A method for gasifying a combustible liquid or powder using a gas detonation wave including a step of introducing detonable mixed gas including oxidizing gas into a detonation tube, a step of spraying, coating or laying combustible liquid or powder in the detonation tube and a step of detonating the mixed gas by ignition so that the combustible liquid or powder is thermally decomposed by the high-temperature and high-pressure behind the detonation wave.

Abstract: A composition, method and test device for determining the divalent cation concentration or estimating the specific gravity of a test sample are disclosed. The method utilizes a test device comprising a test pad, wherein the test pad includes a carrier matrix incorporating a reagent composition capable of interacting with divalent cations present in the test sample to produce a detectable and measurable response that correlates to the divalent cation concentration or to the specific gravity of the test sample. The reagent composition, comprising a metal-sensitive triphenylmethane dye; a buffer; an optional chelating agent; and suitable carrier, is incorporated into a carrier matrix to provide a test pad of a device useful in a divalent cation assay or a specific gravity assay of a test sample.