Abstract: A method for flow-through aqueous liquid sterilization which employs apparatus operating at substantially fixed temperatures and pressures and variable flow rates through the apparatus for controllably processing aqueous liquids to achieve predetermined values of Sterility Assurance Levels (SAL's).

Abstract: A flow through aqueous liquid sterilization apparatus which employs substantially fixed temperatures and pressures and variable flow rates through the apparatus for controllably processing aqueous liquids to achieve predetermined values of SALs. This apparatus is also self-contained and self-cleaning using steam generated by reducing pressure during normal operation, as well as inhibiting growth of contaminating species during intermittent system shut-down periods.

Abstract: A method for flow-through aqueous liquid sterilization which employs apparatus operating at substantially fixed temperatures and pressures and variable flow rates through the apparatus for controllably processing aqueous liquids to achieve predetermined values of Sterility Assurance Levels (SAL's).

Abstract: A self-contained, single manual step unit for thermally sterilizing dental and medical instruments is disclosed. The unit, which requires only activation of a single manual switch and which controls an autoclaving cycle by monitoring temperature of matter which changes states between solid and liquid at a predetermined temperature, provides an effective autoclaving instrument. In disclosed embodiments, each unit comprises a protective housing with a pressure containing releasible lid, a heated vessel and a cooling assembly. Thermal regulation and autoclaving timing is determined by mass and thermal characteristics of the matter and by an electrical control circuit comprised primarily of electric heaters and thermally controlled switches. Steam for autoclaving is provided by capsules or other water containers disposed within a well of the vessel at the beginning of an autoclaving cycle.

Abstract: A self-contained, single manual step unit for thermally sterilizing dental and medical instruments is disclosed. The unit, which requires only activation of a single manual switch and which controls an autoclaving cycle by monitoring temperature of matter which changes states between solid and liquid at a predetermined temperature, provides an effective autoclaving instrument. In disclosed embodiments, each unit comprises a protective housing with a pressure containing releasible lid, a heated vessel and a cooling assembly. Thermal regulation and autoclaving timing is determined by mass and thermal characteristics of the matter and by an electrical control circuit comprised primarily of electric heaters and thermally controlled switches. Steam for autoclaving is provided by capsules or other water containers disposed within a well of the vessel at the beginning of an autoclaving cycle.

Abstract: A sterilization unit for dental handpieces and other instruments, and which finds utility in the sterilization of any surgical instrument, or the like, which breaks the skin or comes into contact with body fluids, and which are too delicate or have sharp edges which could become damaged in conventional present day autoclaves. The sterilization unit of the present invention combines heat, steam pressure and time in a precisely controlled manner so that the handpieces, or other surgical instruments are not damaged during the sterilization procedure. This is achieved by providing a total cycle time including cooling to a patient-ready condition of less than 20 minutes. A unique control system places the sterilizing chamber at a temperature which creates steam and pressure in a time frame that sterilizes the handpiece without damage to the turbine.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 represents hydrogen, alkyl, hydroxy, carboxyalkenyl, alkoxycarbonyalkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, alkoxy, halogenated alkyl, carboxy alkoxycarbonyl or alkanoylamino; R.sub.2 represents hydrogen, halo, alkoxy, hydroxy, alkanoyloxy, or phenoxy; R.sub.3 represents hydrogen or alkyl; R.sub.4 represents hydrogen, halo, alkoxycarbonyl, a benzyloxycarbonyl, alkanoyl, benzoyl, carbamoyl, alkyl, carboxy, hydroxyalkyl or alkylthio; R.sub.5 represents hydrogen or alkyl; R.sub.6 represents hydrogen, alkyl [optionally substituted by one or more of the following: hydroxy, halo or an amino group of formula --NR.sub.12 R.sub.13 ], a C.sub.3-12 alicyclic hydrocarbon group, phenyl, (cycloalkyl)alkyl or benzyl; R.sub.7 represents hydrogen, halo, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, alkyl, carboxy, or alkoxy; R.sub.

Abstract: An electrically energized vaporizing unit for medications, room deodorizers, room scenting compounds, room insecticides, and the like, which is simple and inexpensive in its construction and which is compact in size. The vaporizing unit includes a housing having a central slot for holding a compressed paper fiber pad which is impregnated with the substance to be vaporized. The pad is heated by a pair of electrical heating elements which are located in the housing and positioned on opposite sides of the slot for maximum vaporizing efficiency of the pad. The housing may also contain paraffin wax. The melting point of the wax is selected to correspond to the vaporizing temperature of the particular substance in the pad. The vaporizing unit is provided with an electric plug which may be directly plugged into an electric receptacle to energize the PTC heating elements, and it does not require a switch or protective thermostat.

Abstract: A self-standing inflatable bath is provided which is constructed in a manner somewhat similar to the construction of an inflatable rubber raft, and which is intended to be placed on a solid surface, such as a patio, deck, and the like; or to be floated in a swimming pool, ocean, lake, or other body of water. The bath is filled with water, or water is circulated through the bath. Pressurized steam is introduced into the bath to inflate the bath and to heat the water in the bath. The steam also serves to create bubbles in the bath water for therapeutic effects. The bath may be used as a whirlpool bath for further therapeutic effects.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive instrument for measuring electric current that may be mounted on existing current-carrying conductors to provide a ready visible indication of the current flowing through the conductor. The instrument comprises an outer transparent tube mounted coaxially with the current-carrying conductor, a number of O-rings mounted within the tube and spaced along the length of the tube to form different compartments along the instrument, and a number of differently colored tubular indicators respectively forming the inner walls for the compartments, with each compartment being filled with a material, such as paraffin wax, which melts at a different temperature from the material in the other compartments, to become transparent and reveal the corresponding colored inner indicator, when the current in the conductor heats the conductor to a particular temperature.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive water temperature sensor that may be mounted on existing water faucets or showers to provide a ready visible indication of the temperature of the water flowing through the faucet or shower. The temperature sensor comprises an outer transparent tube mounted coaxially with the pipe leading to the faucet or shower head, a number of O-rings mounted within the tube and spaced along the length of the tube to form different compartments along the sensor, and a number of differently colored tubular members respectively forming a second wall for the compartments, with each compartment being filled with a material, such as paraffin wax, with the material in each compartment melting at a different temperature from the material in the other compartments, to become transparent and reveal the corresponding colored inner tubular member, when the water flowing to the faucet or shower has a particular temperature.

Abstract: An electrically energized vaporizing unit for medications, room deodorizers, room scenting compounds, room insecticides, and the like, is provided which is simple and inexpensive in its construction and which is compact in size. The vaporizing unit has one or more compartments which are adapted to be filled with a liquid to be vaporized, or to hold a solid tablet saturated with a substance to be vaporized, the compartments being heated by positive thermal coefficient (PTC) electrical heating elements in conjunction with paraffin wax, the melting point of the wax being selected to correspond to the vaporizing temperature of the particular substance in the compartments. The vaporizing unit is equipped with an electric plug which may be directly plugged into an electric receptacle to energize the PTC heating elements, and it does not require a switch or protective thermostats.

Abstract: An electrically energized soft contact lens disinfecting unit formed of a surfactant resistant plastic material to render the unit immune from attack by detergents used to clean the lenses prior to placing the lenses in the unit.

Abstract: An electrically energized evaporator and/or soft lens heating and disinfecting unit is provided which is compact in size in that it does not require a separate holder for the lenses. Instead, the unit itself forms the lens holder, and the holder has compartments for the left and right lenses and which are adapted to be filled with an appropriate saline solution, the compartments being heated by electrical heating elements to perform the desired disinfecting and sterilizing functions. These heating elements may take the form of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) elements. The unit is equipped with an electric plug which may be directly plugged into an electric receptacle to energize the heating elements.

Abstract: A spare tank system for a motor vehicle is provided which may conveniently be coupled into the normal fuel line of the vehicle, and which comprises a conduit in which a valve and a fitting are mounted. During normal operation of the motor vehicle, the valve is in a first operating position, and the fuel from the normal fuel system flows through the fuel line and through the conduit to the engine without being impeded in any way. One or more closed cylinders, or other pressurized containers of fuel, such as gasoline, are also provided which may normally be carried in the trunk of the vehicle. Should the vehicle run out of gas, the valve is set to a second operating position, and the nozzle of the container is inserted into the fitting, so that fuel from the container may now flow through the conduit to the engine, with the normal fuel system being shut off.

Abstract: An electrically energized heater is provided which has particular application as a dry disinfecting and sterilizing device for items such as soft lenses, dental handpieces, baby bottles, or the like, which cannot be placed in sterilizing solutions, and which cannot be subjected to excessive temperatures. The unit includes a housing, and a heat conductive substance such as wax, oil, or both, contained in the housing and used as a uniform heat transfer medium between electrical heating elements in the housing and the surface of a well which also is supported in the housing.

Abstract: A stationary display member which is mounted on the rotating hub cap of a wheel of a vehicle, such as an automobile, or other rotating member, is provided, which comprises a disc-like member coaxially mounted on the hub cap to be freely rotatable about the axis of rotation of the hub cap. The disc-like member has an internal chamber which is partially filled with a flowable material, such as mercury. The flowable material collects at the bottom of the chamber, and it forms an off-set weight which prevents the disc-like member from turning as the hub cap turns about is axis of rotation. A damping device is included in the chamber which coacts with the flowable material, and which damps out any tendency for the disc-like member to oscillate about the axis of rotation of the hub cap. An appropriate insignia, design, message, or other inscription, is imprinted or attached to the outer face of the disc-like member and which remains stationary as the hub cap rotates.

Abstract: An indicator is provided for a heating unit which may be used as a soft contact lens disinfecting unit and which embodies an exterior construction entirely of thermoplastic material. Wax contained in the unit is used as a heat transfer medium, as a temperature stabilization means, as a heat sotrage medium, and, in accordance with the present invention, as a unique indicator system which enables the user to confirm when the unit has reached the proper operating temperature. The heating unit to be described, is specifically constructed to produce or aid in disinfecting so-called soft contact lenses intended for wearing in contact with the eye. The unit is more generally applicable, and may be used to advantage, when a low cost heating unit is desired which will raise the temperature of an object or a material to a given temperature, maintain it at or above the given temperature for a given time period, and then allow it to cool down and return to an ambient temperature condition.

Abstract: An electrolytic water heater is provided which has general utility for heating and boiling water, or other electrically conductive solutions, by passing an electric current through the solution. The heater includes a housing composed of electrically nonconductive material, whose interior is divided by a common wall into two separate chambers. An opening is provided in the common wall of restricted dimensions which may be in the form of a slot in the upper edge of the wall, and the solution in the two chambers extends into the opening to complete an electrical path through the solution in the two chambers. Two electrodes are respectively mounted in the chambers in contact with the solution in the two chambers. An electric voltage is applied across the electrodes to produce a current flow through the solution, so as to heat the solution in the opening in the common wall to the boiling point, without producing cavitation in the solution in the vicinity of the electrodes.

Abstract: A system and method is provided which has the general capabilities of measuring the speed of coagulation, congealing or solidification of a fluid sample, and which has particular utility in the measurement of the time required by a sample under test to increase viscosity to a particular level. The system and method to be described is predicated on a viscosity principle, and it includes a movable magnetic member suspended in the fluid sample and which changes position when the sample achieves a predetermined degree of viscosity. The change in position of the aforesaid member is photoelectrically or electromagnetically detected, and the time at which the change occurs, is used in the determination of the time required, for example, for the sample to form a fibrin clot, in a blood or plasma sample or to effect a particular reaction causing solidification or congealing of the sample.