Abstract: An apparatus for separating a blood component, e.g., fibrin monomer, from blood or plasma ?comprises! includes a container ?(110)! with a reaction chamber for receiving the plasma, where ?said! the reaction chamber is defined by an outer wall and ?comprises! includes means for supplying ?said! the reaction chamber with an agent for converting the fibrinogen content of the plasma into a non-cross-linked fibrin polymer. The apparatus ?comprises furthermore! also includes a device for centrifuging the reaction chamber with the plasma and ?said! the agent to a degree sufficient for separating the non-cross-linked fibrin polymer from the plasma, for depositing ?said! the polymer on the outer wall of the reaction chamber, and for expelling the remaining plasma from the reaction chamber. The container ?(110) comprises! includes means for supplying the reaction chamber with a solvent for dissolving ?said! the non-cross-linked fibrin polymer.

Abstract: A method for washing a cored head of lettuce includes placing the head in a position such that the cored hole faces downwardly, spraying an aqueous solution upwardly into the cored hole for a time and at a pressure sufficient to wash the hole, and then propelling the cored washed lettuce head upwardly from the washing position onto a conveyor for the lettuce head with minimal damage to that head.

Abstract: Surface treatment apparatus having impact elements for impacting a surface to be treated, a brush element for brushing the surface, a drive device for operating the impact element and the brush elements, and a carriage device enabling the surface treatment apparatus to be moved across the surface to be treated. The brush elements include a composite rotary brush assembly having circumferentially spaced rows of bristles mounted on a rotatable shaft in alternate circumferential sequence with the impact elements and further rotary assembly mounted on a contra-rotation relative to the composite rotary brush assembly and/or the impact elements, each rotatable so their bristles move upwardly intermediate the respective shafts. The impact elements include a plurality of longitudinal spaced hammers each pivotable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A method for assay of an analyte by use of a material labeled with a chemiluminescent substance, which comprises adding a quencher and/or decreasing the specific activity of a chemiluminescent substance labeled probe, thereby decreasing the quantity of chemiluminescence.

Abstract: A method for measuring ash content of food stuff is carried out by 1) preparing, with respect to food stuff samples whose ash content values are known, a calibration curve by a non-linear analysis of absorbance values and the known ash content of each sample, the absorbance values being obtained by irradiating light having particular wavelengths containing at least an ultraviolet ray band wavelength, the particular wavelength being specific to organic ingredients well coupled to inorganic ingredients which result in the ash content, and 2) deriving, with respect to a sample whose ash content value is unknown, an ash content value of the sample from absorbance values obtained by irradiating, on the sample, light having the particular wavelengths containing at least the ultraviolet ray band wavelength and from the calibration curve prepared in advance by the non-linear analysis.

Abstract: A method for evaluating constituents of a sample of substantially undiluted anti-coagulated whole blood is provided which includes the steps of a) providing a sample chamber; b) admixing a sensible colorant with the sample of whole blood; c) inserting the admixed sample into the sample chamber; d) quiescently holding the admixed sample for a period until rouleaux and lacunae form within the sample; and e) evaluating a target constituent disposed within the lacunae.

Abstract: A specimen testing device having first and second panels and a reagent sheet therebetween. The first panel has an aperture with a cover and the second cover has an aperture opposite the aperture in the first panel. The sheet in the first aperture has first and second portions disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the panel and a fecal specimen is smeared on the sheet in the apertures so as to cover the first and second portions. The second panel is provided with a cover which overlies the first portion of the sheet and with a further cover which overlies the second portion of the sheet. The further cover is selectively moveable depending on the outcome of testing of the sample on the first portion through the respective aperture on the second panel.

Abstract: A method for the determination of iodide in aqueous solutions, preferably in urine. The process is characterized in that the sample solution is admixed with a chromogen and a peracid solution and the color reaction is evaluated visually or photometrically. In the determination of iodide in urine, the sample is pretreated by means of a purified activated carbon.

Abstract: The surface of a workpiece is cleaned by generating a steady-state one atmosphere glow discharge plasma above the surface of the workpiece. The use of one atmosphere, uniform glow discharge plasmas generated by a low frequency RF ion trapping mechanisms is preferred. The plasma used to effect surface cleaning may be formed in atmospheric air or other gases at about one atmosphere of pressure, or at pressures below or above one atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for cleaning an inner wall of a mold part includes forming a chamber between displaced mold parts by introducing a casing between the mold parts. The casing enclosures a blasting device for introducing a blasting nozzle which directs a cleaning jet at the inner wall. The chamber encapsulates noise and particles which are produced during the cleaning process.

Abstract: A porous material (10) is contaminated with soil (14). Optionally, the porous material is partially shielded by an impermeable layer. The contaminated porous material is packaged and shipped to a user site. The contaminated porous material is removed from the package and placed in an automated processor containing medical equipment (22). The medical equipment and porous material are subjected to a cleaning, disinfecting, or sterilizing cycle in the processor. The cleaning process is evaluated by examining the porous material with an infrared or other electronic reader (24) to determine the presence of remaining soil which has not be removed during the cleaning, disinfecting, or sterilizing cycle.

Abstract: A method is provided for cleaning an electronic circuit board having first and second opposing surfaces. The method includes directing a stream of carbon dioxide particles against the first surface. Steam is sprayed toward the first and second surfaces such that condensation of the steam caused by cooling from the CO.sub.2 particles forms a thin film of water on the first surface for conducting electrostatic charge away from the first surface. The CO.sub.2 particles substantially remove residue present on the first surface, thereby cleaning the circuit board.

Abstract: Method for tagging hydrocarbons and for detecting the presence of tagged hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon mixture. The method can be utilized to tag gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, lubricating oil or crude petroleum. The hydrocarbon to be tagged is blended with a relatively small amount of a fluorescent dye. The presence of the tagged hydrocarbon is subsequently determined by exciting the dye to fluoresce at wavelengths in the higher portion of the visible spectral region or the lower portion of the near infrared spectral region.

Abstract: A method for removal of an organic film from a metal substrate comprising: (a) preparing a stripping bath comprising a mixture of a salting-out agent, a carboxylic acid, and an organic solvent, said organic solvent in a concentration at about or greater than its solubility limit in water and having a solubility limit of 1/2% to 50% by weight in water, wherein said organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of butoxy ethanol, hexoxy ethanol, butoxy-2-ethoxy ethanol, dibasic ester, 2-ethyl hexyl alcohol, straight chain alcohol having from 6 to 16 carbons, N-methyl-pyrrolidone, and mixtures thereof, and said carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy carboxylic acids, lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and mixtures thereof, and said salting-out agent is selected from a group consisting of glucoheptonate, gluconate, and mixtures thereof, and (b) immersing said metal substrate in the stripping bath of step (a) for a predetermined period of time to l

Abstract: A degreasing and cleaning method for cleaning circuit boards and the like has a first, wash sump containing a boiling, environmentally friendly wash material and a second, rinse, sump containing an environmentally friendly rinse material, separated by a weir. An anti-splash and surge control fence is mounted on top of the weir to control splashing and spill-over between the sumps. The wash sump contains a plurality of spray wands and a programmed hoist pans the carrier of the boards past the spray wands in incremental steps. After the wash cycle, the carrier is introduced into the second, rinse, sump and then given a final vapor rinse. The temperature ranges in which the apparatus is operated yield optimum cleaning.

Abstract: A method for the quantitative determination of dissolved oxygen in a liquid fuel includes the steps of doping a sample of the fuel with a preselected concentration of a probe material including a luminophor which exhibits luminescence of wavelength which is quenched by oxygen dissolved in the fuel, illuminating the fuel with light from a coherent light source, such as a laser, of a wavelength which induces the luminescence in the luminophor, and thereafter measuring the change with time of the luminescence from the luminophor in the fuel and determing from the change with time of the luminescence the concentration of oxygen in the fuel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rinsing and drying semiconductor wafers. The apparatus includes side walls, end walls and a base. At least a portion of the wall descends relative to the base to facilitate the flow of liquid from the chamber. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a rigid side and end walls. In another embodiment of the apparatus, at least a portion of the side wall is collapsible. In yet another embodiment of the apparatus, at least a portion of the wall has a tambour configuration, facilitating bending or rolling of the wall beneath the base. The apparatus includes an assembly for injecting a rinse liquid into the chamber. The apparatus also includes an assembly for injecting a drying fluid into the chamber. The method includes placing a semiconductor wafer into the rinse/dry apparatus, directing rinse liquid over the semiconductor wafer, and lowering a side wall of the rinse/dry apparatus to remove rinse liquid therefrom.

Abstract: A process for wet chemically stripping dry, thick film photoresists in semiconductor applications. This process includes contacting the silicon wafer with a stripping solution and agitating the solution. The process may be performed in a strip tank having a chemical stripping solution, and nitrogen or other inert gases may be provided through a pressurized tube to cause bubbling in the solution and to strip the wafer.

Abstract: Unopened packages, containing an edible food product pre-treated with a heat shock preservation process, can be sanitized in a hospital dishwasher by a method that includes washing the package outer surface with detergent, rinsing the package surface with a solution containing a sanitizing agent, and drying the package outer surface. The method is applicable to various food products, e.g. individual milk or juice packages, distributed to patients in hospitals. Use of the method permits unopened food packages handled by the patient to be supplied to other patients without worrying that germs and contaminants might be transmitted from one hospital patient to another hospital patient.

Abstract: A method of stripping cured paint from a non-ferrous substrate comprising: a) adding a stripping composition to a strip tank, said stripping composition consisting an alkylphenol-hydroxypolyoxyethlene and triethanolamine; b) immersing said nonferrous substrate in said strip tank containing said stripping composition; and c) heating said stripping composition to 350.degree. F. for approximately 60 minutes, wherein cured paint is removed from said non-ferrous substrate. This method is environmentally safe and will not alter, attack, or stain the non-ferrous substrate.