Abstract: Disclosed are devices for amplifying a preselected polynucleotide in a sample by conducting a polynucleotide amplification reaction. The devices are provided with a substrate microfabricated to include a polynucleotide amplification reaction chamber, having at least one cross-sectional dimension of about 0.1 to 1000 &mgr;m. The device also includes at least one port in fluid communication with the reaction chamber, for introducing a sample to the chamber, for venting the chamber when necessary, and, optionally, for removing products or waste material from the device. The reaction chamber may be provided with reagents required for amplification of a preselected polynucleotide. The device also may include means for thermally regulating the contents of the reaction chamber, to amplify a preselected polynucleotide. Preferably, the reaction chamber is fabricated with a high surface to volume ratio, to facilitate thermal regulation.

Abstract: A crystal-pulling apparatus for pulling and growing a monocrystalline silicon ingot comprises a quartz crucible placed in a chamber and containing a silicon melt from which a monocrystalline silicon ingot will be pulled, a graphite crucible container to support the quartz crucible by surrounding the outer circumferential surface and external base surface of crucible, and a heater provided around the outer circumferential surface of the crucible container to heat the silicon melt. This apparatus further comprises a spacer having a top surface whose area is smaller than the base area of the quartz crucible and having a melting point higher than that of silicon, is inserted between the base of the quartz crucible and the base of the crucible container while the monocrystalline silicon ingot is pulled.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for amplifying a preselected polynucleotide in a sample by conducting a polynucleotide polymerization reaction. The devices comprise a substrate microfabricated to define a sample inlet port and a mesoscale flow system, which extends from the inlet port. The mesoscale flow system includes a polynucleotide polymerization reaction chamber in fluid communication with the inlet port which is provided with reagents required for polymerization and amplification of a preselected polynucleotide. In one embodiment the devices may be utilized to implement a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the reaction chamber (PCR chamber).

Abstract: This invention relates to electrode substrates for electrochemical cells, particularly low-temperature fuel cells, and processes for their production. Low-cost carbon fiber paper structures are used as precursor for preparation of an all-carbon product that has a high electric conductivity and porosity and can be processed in a continuous reel-to-reel mode. These paper materials are further impregnated and processed to adjust the final product properties. This all-carbon electrode substrate is not brittle thereby avoiding the main disadvantage of the prior art.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for detecting the presence of a preselected analyte in a fluid sample. The devices comprise a substrate microfabricated to define a sample inlet port, and a mesoscale flow system that includes a sample flow channel extending from the inlet port. The mesoscale flow system further includes an analyte detection region in fluid communication with the flow channel comprised of a binding moiety for specifically binding the analyte. The detection region is constructed with a mesoscale dimension sufficiently small to enhance binding of the binding moiety and the analyte. The binding moiety may be immobilized in the detection region. The mesoscale detection systems of the invention may be used in a wide range of applications, including the detection of cells or macromolecules, or for monitoring reactions or cell culture growth.

Abstract: A crystal-pulling apparatus for pulling and growing a monocrystalline silicon ingot comprises a quartz crucible placed in a chamber and containing a silicon melt from which a monocrystalline silicon ingot will be pulled, a graphite crucible container to support the quartz crucible by surrounding the outer circumferential surface and external base surface of crucible, and a heater provided around the outer circumferential surface of the crucible container to heat the silicon melt. This apparatus further comprises a spacer having a top surface whose area is smaller than the base area of the quartz crucible and having a melting point higher than that of silicon, is inserted between the base of the quartz crucible and the base of the crucible container while the monocrystalline silicon ingot is pulled.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for detecting the presence of a preselected analyte in a fluid sample. The devices comprise a substrate microfabricated to define a sample inlet port, and a mesoscale flow system that includes a sample flow channel extending from the inlet port. The mesoscale flow system further includes an analyte detection region in fluid communication with the flow channel comprised of a binding moiety for specifically binding the analyte. The detection region is constructed with a mesoscale dimension sufficiently small to enhance binding of the binding moiety and the analyte. The binding moiety may be immobilized in the detection region. The mesoscale detection systems of the invention may be used in a wide range of applications, including the detection of cells or macromolecules, or for monitoring reactions or cell culture growth.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting a plurality of bags, in particular stand up bags filled with a beverage, into an outer container, including a bag conveyor and a feed conveyor for the container, the bags being insertable into the container under the action of gravity at an insertion point positioned above the feed conveyor. For further improving such an apparatus and for increasing the conveying speed, the bag conveyor can comprise a star conveyor which is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and which is provided with receiving compartments that can be loaded and unloaded on the circumference and which receive only a single bag in the conveying direction, and which has the same conveying direction as the feed conveyor above the feed conveyor at the insertion point.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrode substrates for electrochemical cells, particularly low-temperature fuel cells, and processes for their production. Graphitized fiber web structures are used that have a preferred non-planar fiber alignment resulting in high through-plane conductivity. These structures are further impregnated and processed to adjust the final product properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a closure element for a packing for receiving liquid or paste-like material, in particular for a film bag. For an easy opening and re-closing of a closure element which requires little space and tightly closes a packing microbiologically also after the filling process, the closure element comprises a tiltable spout with a spout channel and a spout opening which is closed by the spout in a first tilt position and communicates in a second tilt position of the spout with the spout channel thereof, the spout being connected in the area of the spout opening to a membrane which closes the spout opening and is torn open upon a tilting movement of the spout.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for transferring film bags which are supplied in a plurality of parallel rows to a transfer station, to a conveying means which further transports the film bags in a continuous row substantially in a direction transverse to the direction of supply, the film bags to be handed over being preaccelerated in the direction of movement of the conveying means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drinking straw attachment device for attaching drinking straws to beverage containers, wherein the drinking straws are fed in the form of a drinking straw band provided with a glue layer. The feeder device shows at least at the point where the cutting device severs two drinking straws from each other a recess matched in its height position with the glue layer and the height extension of which corresponds at least to the width of the glue layer. The invention relates further to a method for attaching drinking straws to beverage containers, wherein the drinking straw band is cut into pieces between each of the two drinking straws with a cutting device in the area of the feeder device, and where the cutting device pierces through the glue layer and the drinking straw band into a recess provided on the feeder device in a height position corresponding to the glue layer and whereby the height extension of the recess corresponds at least to the width of the glue band.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foil-bag producing and packing apparatus comprising at least two feed means for feeding foil material, a connecting means for connecting the foil material fed, the connecting portions—in a direction transverse to the feed direction—extending over the foil width, a cutting means for cutting the connected foil bags along the connecting portions, and a storing device which directly after the cutting process stores the foil bags substantially in the direction of movement of the cutting edge and stacks the same in a receiving means. Moreover, the invention comprises a corresponding method for producing and packing foil bags.

Abstract: A reclosable drinking straw for flexible or semi-flexible beverage containers including a pot-like closure cap externally mounted on a drinking straw end to be axially displaced between a closed position and an open position, the inner cap bottom portion being designed as a closing element for the drinking straw openings, and the cap wall comprising at least one lateral passage opening which in the open position is in flow communication with the drinking straw opening.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling bags that are conveyed on a first conveyor in an upright position and on a second conveyor in a lying position, particularly for the gentle handling of bags and adapted to the handling of stand up bags, by providing a transfer device between the first and second conveyor, the first conveyor comprising a transfer portion in which the bags are oriented in a substantially horizontal direction in space, and the transfer device comprising a depositing surface for forming a row of lying bags, alone with a gripper for pulling the bags from the first conveyor onto the depositing surface in a substantially straight movement, and a delivery means for delivering the row of bags to the second conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for supplying foil material, the apparatus comprising a motor-driven supply roll, a withdrawal means and a consumption sensor provided between the supply roll and the withdrawal means for controlling the drive of the supply roll in response to the consumption of foil material, and at least one stationary deflection roller, at least one sensor roller and a sensor means, the sensor roller being supported and arranged such that it changes the distance from the stationary deflection roller in response to the difference between supply capacity and withdrawal capacity of the foil material, and the sensor means senses said change in distance and accelerates the supply roll when the distance is smaller than a first predetermined distance, and slows down the supply roll when a second predetermined distance is exceeded. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method for supplying foil material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing foil bags, wherein two foils are supplied for forming the side walls of the foil bag, wherein furthermore a bottom foil is supplied to have holes punched thereinto, said holes being spaced apart in the supply direction of the bottom foil at a distance corresponding to the width of a foil bag, wherein a measurement is carried out during the supply process for determining whether punched holes have been produced, and wherein subsequently the side foils and the bottom foil are placed one upon the other and connected to each other, and the foil layer sequence is then cut to form individual foil bags.

Abstract: Compound of the formula (I) wherein R is hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-C6-alkyl, R1 is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl, R2 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C6-alkyl or optionally substituted phenyl, the ring D is optionally substituted by one or more identical or different substituents selected from the group consisting of C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, halogen, especially F, Cl and Br, and SO3H, m is 0 or 1, n is 1, 2 or 3 and as a function of n X is a mono-, di- or trivalent acyl radical, pyrimidine or 1,3,5-triazine radical which is not fiber-reactive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for supplying foil material, the apparatus comprising a motor-driven supply roll, a withdrawal means and a consumption sensor provided between the supply roll and the withdrawal means for controlling the drive of the supply roll in response to the consumption of foil material, and at least one stationary deflection roller, at least one sensor roller and a sensor means, the sensor roller being supported and arranged such that it changes the distance from the stationary deflection roller in response to the difference between supply capacity and withdrawal capacity of the foil material, and the sensor means senses said change in distance and accelerates the supply roll when the distance is smaller than a first predetermined distance, and slows down the supply roll when a second predetermined distance is exceeded. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method for supplying foil material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing foil bags, wherein at least two foils are supplied that serve as side foils of the foil bags, the foils are connected to each other and then cut into individual foil bags, wherein possibly existing differences in the amounts of foil materials provided by the at least two foils in the feed direction for a respective foil bag are eliminated by stretching the foil that provides the smaller amount of foil material for a foil bag, and to a bag-producing apparatus for performing the method.