Abstract: A windscreen wiper includes an elongate curved backbone which is of a resiliently flexible material having a Young's modulus of between 50 to 350 GPa. The backbone has a substantially spatially consolidated cross-sectional profile at substantially all points along its length, and the magnitude of the width at substantially the widest point along the backbone, Wm (expressed in millimeters) is at most (?8.89.10?5*E+0.05378)*L?5.25, where L is the total length of the backbone expressed in millimeters and E is the Young's modulus of the backbone material expressed in GPa. The invention also provides a relationship between the thickness and the length of the backbone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper blade for windshields, especially automobile windshields, comprising at least one support element, a support element (12), a wiper strip (14) and connecting means (16) for a wiper arm (18). The support element (12) is a long flat rod to which the wiper strip (14) and the connecting means (16) are fixed. According to the invention, the flat rod has a cross-sectional profile (40), whereby Fwf*L2/48*E*Izz<0.009 when Fwf is the pressure force exerted on the wiper blade or the pressure force for which the wiper blade was originally intended, L represents the length of the wiper blade, E stands for the elasticity module of the flat rod material and Izz is the moment of inertia of the cross-sectional profile around the z axis (perpendicular to an s axis associated with the flat rod and perpendicular to the y axis).

Abstract: A device is operably attached to a swimming pool cleaner for dislodging and permitting a steering of the swimming pool cleaner away from obstacles within a swimming pool. The device includes a coupling slidably attached to the swimming pool cleaner near its hose coupling. An upper, generally horizontally positioned, resilient elongate bumper has its opposing ends affixed to the coupling to form the upper bumper into an arcuate shape extending partially around a forward portion of the swimming pool cleaner. A second resilient, elongate vertical bumper has one end attached to the upper bumper and an opposing end attached a weight assembly of the pool cleaner at a location proximate the sealing flange. A roller is attached to the vertical bumper near the upper bumper for rotation thereabout when the swimming pool cleaner encounters an obstacle such as a step from which it is to be dislodged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connector assembly (3) for connection to a container (1) for sterilising goods, preferably for pharmaceutical applications, and a releasable connector port (5) for releasably connecting said connector assembly (3) to a treatment station (1) for the goods that is contained in said container (1). Said connector assembly (3) further includes a second port that initially is provided with a detachable rapid transfer port cap (4), which cap (4) corresponds to a rapid transfer port means (15) that is provided at a goods transfer station (12). The connector port (5) and the rapid transfer port cap (4) are in fluid connection via a good stopper means (7). The invention also relates to a multi-treatment sterilising system and to a method for transferring sterilised goods from a multi-purpose container using a system according to the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a post-CMP cleaning brush. The post-CMP cleaning brush is provided with a brush core and an outer brush, and the outer brush is provided with a hollow portion. The apparatus comprises a base, a fixed member, a sliding member, a plurality of posts, and an actuating device. The base holds the brush core and the outer brush, and the fixed member is disposed on the base. The sliding member is disposed on the base in a manner such that it is located at the opposite side of the fixed member relative to the outer brush disposed on the base. The posts, disposed on the sliding member, pass through the fixed member and the hollow portion of the outer brush so as to assist the brush core in passing through the hollow portion of the outer brush. The actuating device connects with the brush core so as to pass the brush core through the hollow portion of the outer brush and separate the posts, inserted into the outer brush, from the outer brush.

Abstract: A two-piece caddy and vacuum cleaner accessory assembly is provided. The caddy includes first and second body sections that are connected together without the use of a separate independent fastener. The first body section includes first, second and third accessory receptacles. The second body section includes first, second and third accessory engaging clips. The receptacles and clips function to hold various vacuum cleaner tools and accessories such as an extension hose, a wand, a crevice cleaning tool and a nozzle brush.

Abstract: In an apparatus, after completion of a CMP (i.e., chemical mechanical polishing) operation of a semiconductor wafer, the thus polished wafer is temporarily stored in a water tank before it is subjected to a post-CMP cleaning operation. During its storage period in the water tank, the wafer is prevented from being chemically attacked by an oxidizing agent contained in an abrasive used in the CMP operation. The apparatus includes: the water tank for storing the wafer therein; a pure water supply pipe for supplying pure water to the water tank; an anticorrosion agent supply pipe for supplying an anticorrosion agent to the pure water; a drain pipe connected with a lower portion of the water tank to discharge the water from the water tank; a return pipe for returning the discharged water to an upper portion of the water tank through a pump and a filter, the return pipe branching-off from the drain pipe; and, valves mounted on these pipes.

Abstract: A filtration arrangement of a vacuum cleaner includes a floor-engaging base unit, a body portion pivotally mounted on the base unit and a suction motor/fan assembly located in either the base unit or body portion. A dustcup is mounted on the body portion and is in fluid communication with a first air path so as to receive dirt laden air therefrom. A cyclonic member is disposed over the dustcup and is effective for imparting rotational motion to the dirt laden air entering the dustcup. An air tube is mounted centrally within the dustcup and extends from the bottom of the dustcup to an area near the top of the dustcup. A removable filter member is disposed over the top portion of the air tube. The removable filter has a central opening that cooperatively engages the top portion of the air tube to establish a second air path that extends from inside the dustcup to outside atmosphere through the suction motor/fan assembly.

Abstract: A multi-task, ambidexterous, fitted dusting-cleaning glove featuring intentional, protrusive exterior side seams 12, palm seams 14, and finger seams 16 terminating in tufts 20 extending beyond the fingertips; each tuft functioning as an instant crevice tool. The exterior seam and tuft application creates added mass in the item's dimension. The said glove, comprising four fingers and one thumb, sized for a close fit in the finger portions is an articulate cleaning tool.

Abstract: A wringing device for cleaning elements of wet and moist mops, the wringing device having a liquid-permeable receptacle (1) which can be affixed to a container, and in which a cleaning element can be wrung out by the exertion of pressure, the receptacle having deformable wall parts (3) and the inside width of the receptacle changing when the cleaning element is pressed in due to the effective force of pressure, wall parts being formed from spring elements (3) with convex curvature, which can be deformed by exertion of pressure for the purpose of enlarging the inside width.

Abstract: An oral device is provided that includes a handle, a head, extending from the handle and having a pair of elongated arms that include opposed surfaces; and a pair of opposed cleaning elements, mounted on the opposed surfaces, the cleaning elements being constructed and positioned to be inserting into the interproximal regions of a user's mouth when the oral is moved back and forth over the user's teeth. Each of the cleaning elements are positioned at an acute angle with respect to an interproximal line defined through the interproximal region.

Abstract: A clamping device for restraining filament tufts in a bristle cluster includes fixed and movable clamping plates. The clamping plates have apertures that are aligned in the unloaded position and that are offset relative to each other in the loaded position. The movable clamping plates can be displaced relative to the fixed clamping plates, and each movable clamping plate secures a specific portion of the bristle cluster.

Abstract: A heat sterilization process for small, washed, and bagged articles such as vial stoppers includes a conditioning or air removal phase prior to sterilization. During the air removal phase, a substantial majority of the liquid moisture is removed from the bagged articles by introducing brief periods of dry, warm air to the autoclave chamber. The air is introduced in short bursts at the point of greatest vacuum while pressure pulsing the chamber during the air removal phase. The air is heated and injected into the chamber through a supply valve which is rapidly opened and closed while the chamber is maintained within a preselected vacuum range between the pressure pulses. The result is a greatly reduced time for a complete sterilization and drying process.

Abstract: Lower alkyl- and lower alkylidene-substituted, saturated or unsaturated cyclohexadecanones are grand fragrances with muscone note with which perfumes with new odor notes can be prepared.

Abstract: Non-planar microfluidic devices and methods for transferring fluids between vessels and microfluidic devices are provided. The devices may be contoured to physically contact non-planar vessels, such as pipes, tubes, vials, or syringes to establish fluid communication between a vessel and a microfluidic device. Devices according to the invention may be constructed from flexible, rigid, or combinations of flexible and rigid materials. In certain embodiments, microfluidic devices are composed of sandwiched stencils, and self-adhesive tapes may be used for one or more layers. A microfluidic device may be removably attached to a vessel with a non-permanent adhesive or adhesive layer. Continuously wrapped microfluidic devices fashioned from a single layer, in addition to rewindable microfluidic devices constructed from multiple layers, are provided. A multi-plunger syringe permits a microfluidic device or other reservoir coupled to the vessel to be filled on the draw stroke of the syringe plunger.

Abstract: A cleaning article comprising an elastomer sheet having a synthetic elastomer disposed on the surface thereof as a cleaning surface, wherein the elastomer sheet has a maximum static frictional force of 9.8 to 29 N. With the cleaning article, a carpet, etc. can easily be cleared of pet hair, etc. clinging thereto.

Abstract: In a cyclone dust collecting apparatus for use in a vacuum cleaner, mounted in a dust collecting chamber intercommunicating with a motor driving chamber of a cleaner body, for separating contaminants from an air that is drawn in through a suction brush by a centrifugal force, the cyclone dust collecting apparatus includes: a contaminant receptacle having a contaminant chamber and an air discharge chamber, the contaminant chamber and the air discharge chamber respectively having open upper sides and partitioned from each other; a cyclone unit connected to an upper portion of the contaminant receptacle in a manner of covering the contaminant chamber and the air discharge chamber, the cyclone unit having a hole corresponding to, respectively, an incoming air port through which foreign substance laden air flows in, a centrifuging chamber for separating the foreign substances from the air by a centrifugal effect, a contaminant discharge port through which the separated foreign substances are discharged, an outgoin

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining in a person's exhalation air the concentration of a specific substance in the blood by measuring the concentration of said substance and the concentration of water vapor in the exhalation air and utilizing a known relationship between these concentrations. When the method is applied the exhalation air is exhaled freely in a defined air volume having a predetermined composition, and said concentrations are measured in this air volume. The apparatus for working the method comprises a device (16) which defines a space for receiving the exhalation air, which has two mutually opposite openings through which the space communicates with the surrounding air, and means (18, 22, 23) for selective quantitative detection of said substance in the air in the defined space.

Abstract: Containers which are ready to be filled or a package material having a plastic surface can be sterilized by hydrogen peroxide in gaseous phase being supplied to the previously heated plastic surface, the entire sterilization procedure being performed with the hydrogen peroxide in gaseous phase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tool for cleaning an anode in a coating machine. The anode cleaning tool has a rotary brush driven by a driver such as a cordless power drill. The rotary brush and the driver are connected to a support structure and an adapter which allows the tool to be joined to a shaft associated with the coating machine. The tool further includes a light source connected to the support structure for enabling an operator to see an anode as it is being cleaned.