Abstract: An injection molding apparatus and method for multi-layer molding of preforms and closures has a central melt channel, an annular melt channel radially spaced from the central melt channel, and an annular ring channel surrounding the central melt channel. The central melt channel has a first portion for flow of a first material, a second portion for flow of the first material and a second material, and a flow extension connecting the first portion and the second portion. The flow extension has a flow opening in communication with the annular ring channel for flow of the second material. The apparatus and method also include a cavity for receiving flow of the first material and the second material from the central melt channel, and for receiving flow of the first material from the annular melt channel. In addition, the apparatus and method include a melt passage having a first melt portion in communication with the central melt channel, and a second melt portion in communication with the annular melt channel.

Abstract: The invention comprises a plasticating machine for the working and forcing of plastic material into a mold, said machine including an elongated housing having a first or proximal end and a second or distal end, an elongated screw shaft with a screw flight therearound, the screw shaft being rotatably supported in the elongated housing, for the working of plastic between the screw shaft and the elongated housing with at least one delivery conduit generally longitudinally arranged through the screw shaft, from a proximal end to a distal tip end thereof. The conduit may be arranged to be movable with respect to the screw shaft to permit delivery of a medium through the screw shaft to any plastic being driven from the machine. The medium may be any single or combination of components selected from the group comprising vapor, liquid, gas, powder or solid, to control the machine or treat any plastic being driven therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of removing salt from seawater to produce potable freshwater. In the first preferred embodiment, a reverse osmosis system containing one or more reverse osmosis devices (“RODs”) is supported by a platform on the sea floor. In the second preferred embodiment, a cylinder is supported by a flotation device, and the reverse osmosis system is retained on the cylinder. In both the embodiments, an elongated brine return runs downhill on the sea floor. The RODs each contain a membrane that will allow water molecules, but not sodium and chlorine ions, to pass through. Due to the pressure differential, freshwater passes through the membranes by reverse osmosis, and is pumped out of the pressure hulls to a storage facility onshore.

Abstract: An undercut release component having an end configured for molding a part having an undercut is disclosed wherein the configured end disengages from the molded undercut by traveling in a 3-axis path. A process for providing undercut release in a mold is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an installation for filtering a liquid using a membrane filter device. The technical sector of the invention is the field of manufacturing filter devices, in particular semipermeable membrane devices. In the invention, a pump (3, 4) for pressurizing a liquid has three pistons (24, 25, 26) connected to a common shaft (23) mounted to move in translation in three chambers (18a, 18b; 19a, 19b; 20a, 20b) that are in alignment; two of said pistons (24, 26) being identical and connected to the ends of the shaft (23), each separating one of the chambers (18, 20) into two cavities (18a, 18b, 20a, 20b).

Abstract: An injection mold apparatus for the injection molding of plastic articles. The mold apparatus has a plurality of take-off plates. Each of the take-off plates comprises a plurality of article acceptors. The take-off plates are movable between positions wherein the article acceptors can accept molded articles from the mold and positions wherein the molded articles are moved away from the mold. In a preferred embodiment, each of the article acceptors consists of opposed half-cylinders which can be separated to accept and discharge the molded articles. Also in preferred embodiments, each of the article acceptors is internally cooled so as to be able to cool each article acceptor after it has been moved away from the mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hollow membrane (11) comprising two support layers arranged one above the other forming a space between them and a plurality of capillary tubes arranged between the support layers forming capillary channels for the flow of a first fluid, the space between the capillary tubes forming an internal cavity for the circulation of a second fluid around the capillary tubes, and the whole assembly being made of an organic polymer. These membranes (11) can be assembled into modules for the treatment of a fluid with intermediate porous panels (13).

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus and method for multi-layer molding of preforms and closures has a central melt channel, an annular melt channel radially spaced from the central melt channel, and an annular ring channel surrounding the central melt channel. The central melt channel has a first portion for flow of a first material, a second portion for flow of the first material and a second material, and a flow extension connecting the first portion and the second portion. The flow extension has a flow opening in communication with the annular ring channel for flow of the second material. The apparatus and method also include a cavity for receiving flow of the first material and the second material from the central melt channel, and for receiving flow of a third material from the annular melt channel.

Abstract: A modular fluid treatment system utilizing hollow fiber cartridges held within the controlled environment of a reaction chamber, with the system being designed to accommodate and facilitate ease of access to individual cartridges within a given module. The arrangement provides for parallel operation of a group of individual modules, while at the same time facilitating access to individual modules for cartridge replacement. Each module includes an elongated cylindrical reaction chamber with end caps, with the end caps being designed to sealingly engage and retain individual cartridges for use within the module, while at the same time providing for accommodating a wide range of tolerance for variations in cartridge length.

Abstract: The installation contains means (1) for continuous production of a paste made of a thermoplastic material, means (8) for accumulating and temporarily storing the paste thus produced and means (15) for taking the paste out of the accumulating means and storage means and introducing it into a first mould comprising thermoregulated means in the form of a syringe. The invention is characterised in that the output of the accumulating means and storage means comprises a distributor (12) that has at least two outputs (13, 14) and can be controlled in order to deliver the paste to one of the two outputs, whereby one of said outputs (13) is adapted in order to be coupled to thermoregulated means (15) in the form of a syringe and the other output (14) is adapted in order to be permanently connected to the charging orifice of a piston (17) that injects the paste at a high pressure into a second part-forming mold (17), whereby one output thereof (19) is adapted in order to be permanently coupled to the second mold.

Abstract: Formation of bubbles is prevented during filtration operation by placing an oil on top of a solution-to-be filtered, where the oil is not admixable with the solution and has a lower specific gravity than the solution. The oil seals the solution from air so that no bubbles are formed. The oil does not pass through the filter even after all collectable filtrate of the solution has passed therethrough.

Abstract: A separation end cap adapted for connecting adjacent separation elements is provided. The end cap may be located at the distal ends of a separation element and is adapted for connection with a permeate tube located within the separation element. In one embodiment the end cap includes an inner hub for receiving an O-ring to seal against an inner hub of an end cap on an adjacent separation element. The inner hub of the end cap may be spin-welded to the outer surface of the permeate tube. A locking structure on an outer hub of the end cap co-acts with a locking structure on an end cap of an adjacent separation element to releaseably lock the end caps and, therefore, adjacent separation elements. The locking structure preferably provides a predetermined axial force on the O-ring to seal the connection between permeate tubes of adjacent separation elements.

Abstract: A micromachined membrane particle filter is formed by making holes in a silicon derivative overlayer and coating over the holes with Parylene.

Abstract: The present invention involves a plate-shaped filter holder for use with a sterilizing container. The filter holder comprises a peripheral outer pressure rim, a central pressure region, a mounting device for fixing the filter holder on the sterilizing container and including webs between the outer pressure rim and the central pressure region which leave open breakthroughs therebetween. In order to prevent undesirable deformations in the filter holder, the webs extend at least partially in a direction which comprises a component in the peripheral direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous mineral oxide beads which have large pore volumes and enhanced stability. The beads are based on a tetravalent metal oxide, such as zirconia, titania or hafnia. These highly porous beads are produced from a mixture of tetravalent mineral oxides, mineral pore inducing agents which are oxides or salts of trivalent metals, and optional binders. The porous mineral beads can be filled with a polymer gel and used for adsorption and chromatography applications.

Abstract: A blood centrifuge with a drive assembly for transmitting an input rotation speed to a rotor with a sample reservoir at a desired rotation ratio. The drive assembly includes a base and an outer shell mounted to the base to rotate at an input rate. A bottom pulley is rigidly mounted to the base and attached to the outer shell with bearings. A top pulley is mounted to a center shaft of the outer shell to rotate with the outer shell about the central axis of the centrifuge. An internal drive belt is provided to transmit the rotation to the top pulley via a pair of transversely mounted idler pulleys that rotate with the outer shell. The top pulley is thus rotated at twice the input rate but in the same direction. A rotor assembly with the sample reservoir is attached to the top pulley to separate blood components.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.

Abstract: A bacterial fluid filter includes a filter element supported by a backing member. The filter element and backing member are sealed, e.g., with one or more o-ring seals, in a housing to provide a filter assembly capable of filtering fluid under relatively high pressure. In one embodiment, a filter element, backing member, and seal are disposed in a removable and disposable housing that is sized to fit within a filter housing.

Abstract: A centrifuge container transport rack designed with symmetrical opposing sides located over a central pivot. The pivot enables the rack to be utilized in the balancing of centrifuge containers.

Abstract: A method and system for forming ceramic tiles, including those with large dimensions, which includes the following stages: loading a powder to be pressed into a mould cavity; exerting an initial pressure on the entire surface of the powder present in the mold cavity; releasing the initial pressure; exerting the compacting pressure on the entire surface of the powder contained in the mold cavity; increasing the pressure on a first portion of the surface of the powder contained in the mold cavity up to a value permitted by the press capacity; releasing the pressure on said first portion of the surface of the powder contained in the mold cavity and increasing the compacting pressure on a second portion of the surface of the powder contained in the mold cavity; alternating the exertion of pressure on said first portion and on said second portion; and interrupting the exertion of pressure.