Abstract: A compost curing air circulating and odor control system including a channel for storage of compost to be cured, the channel being provided with a retractable cover to permit periodic turning of the compost within the channel while concomitantly maintaining the channel as a closed vessel and an air circulating system for venting air from the closed vessel and recirculating the air through the stored compost whereby to enhance pathogen destruction through improved control of temperature gradients within the compost pile and to improve odor control.

Abstract: There is described a fluid dispensing system which includes a pipette assembly adapted for use with disposable pipette tips. To ensure a precise location of a disposable pipette tip on the distal end of the stem of the pipette assembly which holds the pipette tip, a proximal chamber of the pipette tip envelops the distal end of the stem and includes a ledge which encircles an annular region of the stem to form an abutment for the stem and establish a precise distance between the distal end of the stem and the pipette tip orifice. In a preferred embodiment the fluid dispensing system is incorporated in an automated analytical instrument.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for rapidly carbonating water for use in applications such as beverage mixes by producing carbon dioxide gas by chemical reaction within a first pressure vessel, transferring the carbon dioxide to a second pressure vessel where it is injected under pressure beneath the water in the second pressure vessel to carbonate the water therein while maintaining sufficient pressure to prevent dissolved carbon dioxide from coming out of solution in the water and for dispensing the carbonated water upon demand. Restrictive venting of the second pressure vessel may be used if needed, to aid in the transfer of carbon dioxide from the first to the second pressure vessel.

Abstract: An automatic analyzing apparatus for analyzing biochemical samples such as blood and urine in which a disposable type reaction line and a reusable type reaction line are provided, so that items suitable for being analyzed by using the disposable reaction line, such as items to be analyzed by utilizing immunization agglutination reaction, can be analyzed in the disposable type reaction line, and items suitable for being analyzed by the reusable reaction line, such as items to be analyzed by colorimetric method, can be analyzed in the reusable type reaction line, simultaneously. Furthermore, these two types of analyzing lines are driven by only one driving device, the apparatus does not become complex in construction, large in size and expensive in cost although two reaction lines are provided.

Abstract: The matrix carrier is a hinged compartment facilitating automation of DNA- and RNA-based diagnostics and genetic surveillance and detection. Specimens are embedded in a matrix in the carrier. The matrix is then treated by one or more of the techniques such as amplification, electrophoresis, and hybridization as selected for the desired analysis and then the sample is treated to detect the cellular component.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a package container blank with a fluid is disclosed and includes a rotary portion provided with a plurality of chambers for receiving the blanks and a fixed portion having a stator surface that faces the rotary portion. The fixed portion is provided with an arrangement that opens to the stator surface for supplying fluid so that upon successive rotations of the rotary member, the chambers will successively align with the arrangement for supplying fluid so that fluid is thereby supplied to the chambers.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis apparatus for applying a liquid sample onto a long test film, incubating the sample-applied film portion by an incubator, and measuring the degree of color formation at the sample-applied portion comprises a cutter provided upstream from the position of sample application for cutting the long test film to a length necessary for a single step of sample application, and a cut-film conveyor for conveying the sample-applied and cut portion of the long test film into the incubator, whereby the long test film is utilized efficiently and processing thereof is facilitated.

Abstract: An optical fiber is used in conjunction with a sensor capable of sensing more than one analyte. A first fiber optic sensor cell is used for measuring any combination of ionic species and a second fiber optic sensor cell is used for measuring all gaseous species. In one embodiment, a doped polymer is formed utilizing a hydrophilic polymer which immobilizes a pH sensitive dye and a potassium sensitive fluorescence dye, allowing pH to be measured by detecting the color change of the pH sensitive dye, and the potassium ion concentration to be measured by the change in fluorescence intensity of the potassium sensitive dye. In an alternative embodiment, a doped polymer is formed utilizing a hydrophilic polymer which immobilizes a calcium or sodium ion sensitive fluorescence dye in order to form either a combined pH/calcium sensor or a combined pH/sodium sensor, respectively.

Abstract: A cassette for dental instruments includes a tray having bottom and a plurality of walls extending to a particular plane, the walls defining first and second generally opposing slots. A lid having a generally planar configuration is adapted to mount on the tray with its outer surface disposed in the particular plane. A fixed tab on the lid is adapted to register with the first slot, while a moveable tab on the lid is slidable between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the moveable tab registers with the second slot.

Abstract: Ophthalmic compositions, such as those used to care for contact lenses, methods of preserving such compositions, and methods for disinfecting contact lenses using such compositions are disclosed. The compositions may comprise an ophthalmically acceptable, liquid aqueous medium and, included therein, an effective preserving or disinfecting amount of an ophthalmically acceptable quaternary ammonium substituted matrix material, the matrix material being selected from the group consisting of proteinaceous materials, carbohydrate materials and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for disinfecting contact lenses by use of microwave energy is disclosed wherein a disinfecting fluid is stored in a first chamber and transferred to a second compartment when exposed to microwave energy. The second compartment holds the lenses to be disinfected and is shielded by a microwave deflecting substance.

Abstract: A chemical analysis apparatus is provided with an incubator having compartments for housing and incubating a chemical analysis slide having a reagent layer with a sample material applied thereon, and a read-out head moveable along the housing compartments to stand facing the reagent layer of the chemical analysis slide housed in the housing compartment via a read-out opening formed in the housing compartment, thereby to emit measuring light to the reagent layer and to measure an optical density of light reflected by the reagent layer.

Abstract: An incubation apparatus for microtiter plates includes an heating chamber and a incubation chamber. The heating chamber has a controllable hot air generator over which are arranged air guide devices for equalizing and distributing a stream of hot air to the microtiter plates. Air return devices are provided for collecting and returning hot air to the hot air generator. The heating chamber can be closed by a gate, and incubation chamber is divided by shelves into a plurality of compartments for receiving the microtiter plates. It is possible to close each compartment with a gate, and the side walls of the compartments are provided with heating devices. Furthermore, the incubation apparatus is provided with a gripping and transporting device having a working platform that is vertically displaceable and having a horizontally displaceable gripping arm.

Abstract: Process for the continuous analysis of the composition of gases, by means of a measuring head for determining the flow rate and analysis equipment which is placed a distance away from the measuring head and is connected thereto by a sample line, a calibration gas being fed to the sample line at the measuring head, by means of which the transit time of the gases is determined, and by means of this transit time a phase shift is introduced during the determination of the connection between the flow rate and the composition. According to the invention a series of calibration gas impulses are fed from the equipment, and the average transit time of the gases in the conditions prevailing locally at that moment is determined therewith, for the essentially continuous determination of the connection between the flow rate and the composition.

Abstract: A method for maintaining hydration of the contents of water-impermeable packages containing items to be sterilized includes placing a moisture-releasing humidifying device into the package with the items to be sterilized, hermetically sealing the package, and releasing moisture from the moisture-releasing humidifying device into the package before the package is exposed to the gaseous sterilant. The moisture-releasing humidifying device includes an absorbent material and a cover about the absorbent material. The cover is made at least partially of a hydrophobic and vapor-permeable material such that moisture absorbed by the absorbent material passes through the vapor-permeable material to effect humidification within the package.

Abstract: There is disclosed an autoclave system incorporating a sterilization chamber and a reservoir. The reservoir is coupled to the sterilization chamber by means of a selectively operated valve. A microcontroller in conjunction with timing means computes a time necessary to place a predetermined amount of water into the sterilization chamber to assure that a proper sterilization cycle will be implemented. The apparatus determines the amount of time required to operate the valve based on the water level in the reservoir. The system is initilized with a full reservoir of water and bases all successive computations for valve operation from this point. Thus the valve is operated according to a given time duration, which time duration is computed according to the number of sterilization cycles previously performed by the autoclave system.

Abstract: A liquid chromatograph comprises an analyzing chip in which a capillary is formed in a substrate and a detector section is disposed downstream of the capillary. The capillary is covered so that an inlet opening end and an outlet opening end of said capillary flow path is opened. A frame member has a sample introduction path, a carrier liquid introduction path and a liquid discharge path. The analyzing chip is movably disposed in the frame member so that the inlet opening end and the outlet opening end of the capillary are selectively in communication with and/or under interruption against said sample introduction path, the carrier liquid introduction path and the liquid discharge path. The liquid chromatograph is very small in size but is easy to handle. Incidentally, there is disclosed also a sample introduction apparatus and method for the chromatograph, and an FET type detector suitable for the chromatograph.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning and sterilizing machine for small articles, such as the closure elements for pharmaceutical containers. The machine consists of a treatment vessel which is mounted in a carrier to pivot through 180.degree. around a horizontal axis, which has a funnel-shaped lower portion comprising a closable discharge opening and to which supply and discharge lines for at least one treatment medium are connected. The discharge opening can be closed by a valve and is also constructed as a charging opening with a coupling member. Connectable in sealing-tight and supporting manner to said coupling member is a charging and discharging container for the articles to be treated which has a matching coupling member disposed at a charging and discharge opening closable by a valve in a funnel-shaped upper portion of the charging and discharge container.

Abstract: A method of treating an article with a mixture of ethylene oxide gas, air, and an inert gas which makes possible reuse of the ethylene oxide for an indefinite number of successive treatment cycles. The gas mixture is refortified with ethylene oxide when necessary. Nonflammability is maintained by removing air from the treatment tank before the mixture is admitted into the tank by the evacuation of the tank to a predetermined pressure, the admitting of an inert gas to the tank to a predetermined pressure, and the subsequent removal of the resulting air and inert gas mixture from the tank by evacuation to a predetermined pressure, the air removal resulting in an air proportion less than or equal to that proportion residing in the treatment mixture that is maintained in the holding tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the disposal of solid and liquid medical waste that is to be ultimately autoclaved prior to final disposal, to be used in conjunction with existing equipment already present in medical facilities. The device provides an apparatus capable of collecting solid medical waste while permitting the exit of liquid medical waste. An outer shell includes removable porous holding apparatus inserted therein for holding and compacting solid waste for subsequent autoclaving, while simultaneously permitting the exit of liquid waste into a separate collection vessel for subsequent autoclaving. Alternatively, a porous inner shell is placed within an outer shell to define a drainage chamber, for draining liquid waste separated from the solid waste that is introduced into the inner chamber, so that the liquid medical waste may be externally collected for autoclaving.